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For Immediate Release
March 10, 2010
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Senate Passes Legislation to Aid Prosecution of Child Pornography Cases

HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation that would make it easier to prosecute child sex abuse cases, according to Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33).

Senate Bill 260 would amend the Crimes Code to grant the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction along with the district attorney in child pornography cases. The bill would ensure that local prosecutors have access to assistance and resources from the Attorney General's office in prosecuting child predators.

The bill is intended to close a loophole in state law that has made it more difficult to prosecute sexual offenders who use the Internet to contact minors for sexual purposes.

"Crimes against children are some of the most heinous acts a criminal can commit, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that criminals who exploit children are punished to the fullest extent of the law," said Alloway, who cosponsored the bill. "This bill would give the Attorney General and prosecutors the tools they need to help protect children from predators." 

Senate Bill 260 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.