Venkat, Mercuri introduce legislation to protect children in schools, daycare centers

Rep. Arvind Venkat    March 6, 2023

HARRISBURG – Reps. Arvind Venkat (D-Allegheny) and Rob Mercuri (R-Allegheny) have introduced legislation to protect children from assault by preventing sexually violent predators from residing near schools.

“The safety of our children is an issue that cuts across party lines and impacts every community in our Commonwealth,” Venkat said. “I am grateful that Rep. Mercuri is willing to work with me to introduce this legislation, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the weeks and months ahead to move it forward. I think we can all agree that the safety of our children and their schools is an important issue for everyone, whether that’s in Hampton Township, Philadelphia or anywhere in between.”

The bills, which include Venkat's HB 77, would affect those sentenced for sex crimes and required by the court to register as sex offenders. It would stay in effect after the terms of a sentence are otherwise fulfilled. 

“Our children must be protected first and foremost. Rep. Venkat and I are responding to this issue so that we can ensure the safety and peace of mind for all families,” Mercuri said. “By prohibiting these dangerous offenders from residing within a certain distance of any school in the Commonwealth, we can make it that much more difficult for these individuals to strike again. This is a common sense precaution that both sides can agree on, so I am proud to be a leader on this legislation.”

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