PA
Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB255

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB255

Introduced
2/20/25  
Refer
2/20/25  
Engrossed
5/5/25  
Refer
5/6/25  
Refer
6/25/25  
Report Pass
6/26/25  
Enrolled
6/30/25  
Chaptered
6/30/25  

Caption

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

Impact

If enacted, SB255 will directly affect how sexual offenses are categorized under Pennsylvania law, potentially leading to an increase in sentences or registration requirements for offenders classified under the new tier. The law targets those who hold positions that can influence or control access to minors, which is crucial in safeguarding vulnerable populations from abuse. This bill reflects a broader initiative to ensure accountability and safety in interactions involving children and organizational structures designed for their benefit.

Summary

Senate Bill 255 aims to amend Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes regarding sentencing for sexual offenses. This legislation introduces a new classification under Tier II sexual offenses specifically for sexual assault committed by sports officials, volunteers, or employees of nonprofit associations. The bill seeks to enhance legal categorization and penalties for individuals in positions of trust over minors, thereby aiming to provide stronger protections against sexual exploitation within youth sports and similar environments.

Sentiment

The sentiment toward SB255 appears to be largely supportive, particularly from child advocacy groups and those concerned with protecting youth in sports and other activities. Proponents argue that codifying these offenses into a tier system will help raise awareness of the issue and provide law enforcement with better tools to address and prosecute offenders. There may be some opposition based on concerns over the potential breadth of the bill's impact, but the prevailing view supports stronger regulations for those in positions of authority over children.

Contention

A notable point of contention that may arise in discussions about SB255 is the balance between necessary legal protections and the potential for overreach or misclassification. Opponents of similar legislation sometimes express concerns regarding unintended consequences on those who may be falsely accused or whose actions are misinterpreted. Thus, while the intent is to protect minors, maintaining fair treatment throughout the judicial process is essential.

Latest PA SB255 Activity

View All Events: PA 2025-2026 Regular Session SB255

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB1317

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 SB1083

In minors, further providing for the offense of sexual abuse of children and for the offense of transmission of sexually explicit images by minor.

PA HB1503

In sentencing, further providing for sentencing generally.

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.