FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2005
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Sens. Rafferty, Orie Introduce "Jessica's Law" As Part of National Campaign to Crack Down on Sexual Predators

Convicted child molesters would face 25 years in prison and be required to wear a monitoring device for life, under legislation sponsored by State Senators Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) and John Rafferty (R-Montgomery).

Orie and Rafferty are introducing a bill that would require any person convicted of molesting a child to serve up to 40 years years in prison for the first offense, and when released, to wear a GPS positioning unit for life.  Additionally, a person convicted of a second offence would receive a mandatory life sentence.

"As a former prosecutor, I have seen many cases where sexual predators are released only to abuse another child – so providing them with freedom only gives them a license to harm other children," Rafferty said.  "This bill not only increases penalties for those who prey on children, it also ensures that if and when they are released their whereabouts are known."

Orie, who also served as a child abuse prosecutor for 10 years, said that sexual predators have a very high rate of recidivism, so they are especially dangerous when they are released from prison and returned to society.

"This bill will put these predators on notice.  If you harm children, we will lock you up for a long time, and you will lose your freedom for life,” Orie said.  “Our goal is to pass this law in all 50 states, so that abusers are kept off the streets and monitored for life."

The senators are acting as part of a nationwide campaign to implement severe sanctions against sexual predators who prey on children under 12.  After the kidnapping and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford by a convicted sex offender, Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed similar legislation.

CONTACT: Mark Meyer 717-787-1398