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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2008
CONTACT:
Mike Sarfert
(717) 787-6538
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Orie Joins Auditor General to Call for GPS Monitoring of Sex Offenders

Harrisburg – State Sen. Jane Orie (R-40) joined state Auditor General Jack Wagner today to call for Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring of convicted sex offenders.

The proposal is aimed at further strengthening Pennsylvania's Megan's Law, which protects children and communities by requiring convicted sex offenders to register their names and addresses on the publically accessible Megan's Law web site (www.pameganslaw.state.pa.us/).

Senator Orie and Senator John Rafferty are sponsoring legislation to require the use of GPS for individuals determined to be sexually violent predators; sex offenders who have been convicted of a subsequent sex offense after having been required to register; and individuals required to register under Megan's Law and who have been convicted of failure to comply.   

"This is part of an ongoing process to protect children and communities," said Orie. "We know that sex crimes will still be committed, but in the case where an individual has shown through their own behavior that they are unable or unwilling to obey the law, we should take advantage of GPS technology and monitor them for a period of time, or the entire period they are required to be registered under Megan's Law." 

The Senator noted that the New Jersey State Parole Board recently issued a report concerning the GPS Monitoring of Sex Offenders Pilot Project Act. The board concluded that: "GPS monitoring has contributed to a significantly lower recidivism rate than nationwide data indicates for high-risk sex offenders. The monitoring also provides an invaluable resource for investigations, by providing data that can be compared with the times and places of new sex crimes." 

Under the legislation GPS tracking would be done by either the body supervising the individual's probation or parole or by the Pennsylvania State Police. It would be a criminal offense to tamper with or remove the GPS device. 

Senators Orie and Rafferty are also sponsoring Senate Bill 1130 to require Pennsylvania to implement the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act, which seeks to create a national sex offender registry available on the Internet as well as uniform enforcement. 

"Pennsylvania has been aggressive in implementing measures to protect children and communities from sex offenders, including Jessica's Law and recent improvements to Megan's Law," said Orie.  "GPS monitoring of sex offenders and implementation of the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act would be significant additional steps toward increased safety."