Scarnati: Severe Sanctions Must Be Implemented

Warren-State Senator Joe Scarnati of the 25th Senatorial District announced today that a piece of legislation, which would require uncompromising sanctions against sexual predators who prey on children under twelve, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"It is imperative that the legislature take quick and decisive action to protect our most precious resource, our children," Scarnati emphatically noted. "Severe penalties are absolutely necessary to keep our children safe and miscreant pedophiles off the street."

Governor Jeb Bush of Florida has recently signed legislation into law that would require any person convicted of molesting a child to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison, and to thereafter wear a GPS tracking unit for life. A national campaign is underway to pass this law in the remaining 49 states.

Pennsylvania State Senators Jane Orie and John Rafferty (who introduced the new legislation) want to assure everyone that "Jessica's Law" will come to the Keystone State. They emphasized that everyone MUST begin to work immediately to make it happen.

As well, the Senator has championed and co-sponsored Senate Bill 1054, which would make sexual offenders names and addresses more readily available to the general public. This is essential in keeping these individuals off the streets and in jail where they belong.

"I cannot stress enough the importance of this pending legislation. Keeping our communities safe is and must continue to be a top priority" observed Scarnati. "The intruder who chooses to become a predator must know that he will assuredly lose his freedom if he assaults a child. Such acts of unspeakable violence perpetrated upon our young people must be dealt with swiftly and harshly."

This legislation has its roots in the kidnapping and murder of nine year-old Jessica Lunsford of Florida. Scarnati concluded by saying, "We owe it to the people who elected us to make sure this important piece of legislation becomes reality. Predators without conscience have freely roamed our cities, towns and rural areas far too long and they need to understand the dire consequences of their mindless crimes."