Parents could soon be notified when a registered sex offender lives near their child’s bus stop under legislation proposed by Rep. Jeremy Shaffer, R-Wexford.
The measure, now circulating for co-sponsors, would require school boards to alert parents in such cases and accommodate requests to move bus stops farther away. Shaffer said the proposal is meant to enhance student safety and supplement legislation he introduced in March that would prohibit sexually violent offenders from living within 2,500 feet of schools and daycares.
Shaffer cited an incident in his district in which a sexually violent predator moved next to an elementary school playground. He said current law allows offenders to live near schools after completing their sentences, creating safety concerns.
Nearly 24,000 sex offenders are registered in Pennsylvania, according to state data compiled by SafeHome. The state ranks in the bottom 10 nationally for registration rate. Sexually violent offenders are subject to lifetime registration, but the number within that category is unclear.
A similar proposal was considered in 2023 but drew criticism from opponents who argued it was unconstitutional.
