Bills to protect state's children now law

HARRISBURG - Legislation designed to better protect children from physical and sexual abuse was has been signed into law. Senate Bill 944, Pennsylvania’s Jessica’s Law, strengthens reporting guidelines for sex offenders and sexually violent predators by reducing the amount of time they would have to report changes of address, employment or changes in enrollment as a student from 10 days to 48 hours. Senate Bill 1054 requires more information about sex offenders to be posted on the state’s Megan’s Law Web site and ensures the criminal liability of employers or supervisors of abusers who either fail to act to stop known abuses, or who conceal abuse. It also extends the criminal statute of limitations for prosecution of sex crimes against children to the date when the victim reaches 50 years of age. Under current law, the age limit is 30.