Legislation to Keep Group Homes from Housing Multiple Sex Offenders Approved

The Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday approved legislation that would help to protect communities by prohibiting group-based homes from providing concurrent housing to multiple individuals who are required to register as sexually violent predators, according to Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson).

Scarnati amended Senate Bill 1183 to make it a civil penalty to house more than one sexually violent predator—unless they are spouses, siblings, or a parent and child. The Pennsylvania State Police or local law enforcement agencies would have the authority to investigate compliance and those found in violation could face civil penalties of up to $2,500 for the first violation and $5,000 for subsequent violations.

Concerns about a local group home which appears to recruit inmates from around the state to relocate there upon their release from prison; creating an unusually high concentration of sex offenders in one area has prompted this action by Scarnati.

“Our first priority should always be to protect the safety of residents in communities where group homes are located – particularly young children -- and ensure that they are not put at risk,” Scarnati said. “Communities should know if sexually violent predators are being housed in these homes, and they should be closely monitored and their numbers limited.”