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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2009
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Senate Approves Bill Targeting Child Pornography

"Lame Duck" Legislation Clears Committee

Legislation targeting those who view child pornography cleared the Senate during the session week of June 29, according to Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40).

House Bill 89 would make viewing child pornography a criminal offense in Pennsylvania.  The Pennsylvania Superior Court previously ruled that existing state laws prohibiting child pornography apply only to individuals who "possess" illegal images. In at least one case, the conviction of an individual who admitted to intentionally viewing sexually explicit images of children on the Internet was overturned.  HB 89 would close the loophole in the law to better protect children from child sexual predators.

"We are sending a clear message to child predators -- zero tolerance for any behavior that exploits children," said Sen. Orie. "This loophole in state law must be closed as soon as possible."

HB 89 was returned to the House for concurrence on Senate amendments. 

The Senate also passed Senate Bill 88, which would allow a child who lives outside of Pennsylvania as a result of one or both parents being called to active military duty to remain a resident of the school district that was the child's resident school district immediately prior to the call to military duty outside the Commonwealth, provided that the parent maintain the residence.

SB 88 has been referred to the House Education Committee for further action.

Committee Roundup

The Senate State Government Committee approved Senate Bill 106, a Constitutional Amendment co-sponsored by Sen. Orie, that would eliminate "lame duck" voting sessions -- voting that occurs after a general election and before the start of a new legislative session.

"The people of Pennsylvania have made it clear that they want accountability on the part of their elected officials," said Sen. Orie.  "The public should be able to hold legislators accountable for the votes they cast before the election, not after."

The Committee also approved Senate Bill 107 which creates the "Governmental Salary Information Act."  The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Orie, requires the State Treasurer to post all salary information for officers and employees of the Commonwealth.  Local agencies would also be required to post salary information for their officers and employees.

"Senate Bill 107 is another effort by Senate Republicans to open up state government to citizens so that they know where their money is being spent," said Orie.

Contact:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-6538