Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB1317

Introduced
9/13/24  
Refer
9/13/24  
Engrossed
10/1/24  

Caption

In sentencing, further providing for sexual offenses and tier system.

Impact

The passage of SB 1317 will have a significant impact on how sexual offenses are prosecuted in Pennsylvania. By formally categorizing new offenses under the tier system, the bill ensures that individuals who commit acts of sexual violence while in service roles, particularly in the context of sports and non-profit organizations, face stricter penalties. This aligns state law with a growing recognition of the need to protect vulnerable populations, including minors involved in sports programs, and could lead to more serious ramifications for offenders, potentially acting as a deterrent.

Summary

Senate Bill 1317 aims to amend Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically addressing sexual offenses and their classification within a tier system. A notable addition to this bill is the inclusion of specific offenses related to sexual assault by sports officials or employees of nonprofit associations, classifying them as Tier II sexual offenses. This legislative move seeks to enhance the legal frameworks surrounding sexual offenses, particularly those involving individuals in trusted positions, thereby expanding the criteria for accountability and punishment.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB 1317 appears to be overwhelmingly positive, with strong support from lawmakers across party lines, as evidenced by the unanimous vote of 48-0 in the Senate during its final passage. This expresses a collective acknowledgment of the necessity to fortify laws related to sexual offenses, particularly those occurring in environments where trust is paramount. The bipartisan support underscores a societal commitment to safeguarding community members, especially young athletes, from exploitation by individuals in authority.

Contention

While the bill has been largely supported, there may be underlying concerns regarding the implications it carries for the roles and responsibilities of sports officials and nonprofit employees. Critics could raise questions about due process for accused parties and whether the expansion of sexual offense classifications might lead to potential overreach in prosecutorial powers. Furthermore, stakeholders in the nonprofit sector may express apprehensions about how such classifications could influence hiring practices and the operation of volunteer organizations.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB255

In sentencing, further providing for sexual offenses and tier system.

PA SB1111

In sentencing, further providing for definitions and for sexual offenses and tier system.

PA HB376

In sexual offenses, providing for the offense of fertility fraud; in particular rights and immunities, providing for damages in actions for fertility fraud; and, in sentencing, further providing for applicability, for sexual offenses and tier system and for period of registration.

PA HB1909

In sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of rape and for the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; and, in sentencing, providing for sentencing procedure for rape of a child and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and further providing for sentences for offenses against infant persons.

PA SB983

In general provisions, further providing for classes of offenses; in authorized disposition of offenders, providing for sentence for trafficking in minors to sexual servitude; in human trafficking, further providing for trafficking in individuals; and, in sentencing authority, providing for sentencing procedure for trafficking in minors to sexual servitude.

PA HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

PA SB494

In sexual offenses, further providing for the offense of statutory sexual assault.

PA HB641

In sentencing, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole power.

PA SB533

In other offenses, further providing for drug trafficking sentencing and penalties.

PA HB2409

In sentencing, further providing for period of registration and for registration; and establishing the Registration of Sexual Offenders Restricted Account.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.