Gov. Corbett Signs Expanded 'Megan's Law' Covering Sex Offenders
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett today signed a bill tightening the provisions of the state's "Megan's Law," which mandates residency reporting requirements for sex offenders.
Governor Corbett says that for starters, the bill he's signed into law eliminates several loopholes in the law.
"It extends the crime of failing to comply with Megan's Law to out-of-state offenders who move here, who work here, or attend school here," the governor said. "It extends the law to cover transient or homeless sex offenders."
The new law brings Pennsylvania into compliance with the federal "Adam Walsh Act," which aims to coordinate state efforts by making more information available on a centralized Internet database. It also requires more information to be posted on the state Megan's Law web site.
The measure also expands the definition of institutional sexual assault to include employees, volunteers, and other adults who work in schools and centers for children, and creates harsher penalties for teachers who have sexual relationships with older students.
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