Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law, 42 Pa. C. S. § 9799.1 requires the State Police to create and maintain a registry of persons who reside, work/carry on a vocation, or attend school in the Commonwealth and who have either been convicted of, entered a plea of guilty to, or adjudicated delinquent of certain sex offenses in Pennsylvania or another jurisdiction. Additionally, the Pennsylvania State Police are required to make certain information on registered sex offenders available to the public through an Internet website. The Pennsylvania State Police has established a website according to the requirements of 42 Pa. C. S. § 9798.1.
Click here to visit the Megan’s Law website
Pursuant to the provisions of Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law, 42 Pa. C. S. § 9791 et seq., the State Police has established a web page to provide timely information to the public on registered sex offenders who reside, attend school, or are employed/carry on a vocation, within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Out-of-state offenders are subject not only to the same registration and notification provisions of their state of conviction or Pennsylvania’s Megan’s Law, which ever is greater.
If a parishioner or parent of a diocesan school student, CCD/PREP student, CYO participant, Boy Scout or any child in our care, is identified to the Diocese of Allentown, its parishes, schools, administrative offices or affiliated organization as being listed on the Pennsylvania or any other state’s Megan’s Law website, as a sex offender or sexually violent predator, the parent’s access to the parish and school will be limited.
The pastor (and principal, if a school is involved) will request an opportunity to personally meet with the parishioner or parent(s), if possible, to discuss the limitations and a letter will be presented defining the limitations.
The parishioner or parent named on the Megan's Law website will be permitted to attend Mass at the parish, but will not be permitted to attend other events at the parish and school or sponsored by the parish or school where children are present. The parishioner or parent will also not be permitted to volunteer for parish or school activities.
These limitations will be shared with appropriate personnel and volunteers at the parish and school as deemed necessary.
If you are made aware of a parishioner or parent who is named on the Megan’s Law website, please contact the Charter Compliance Officer for the Diocese of Allentown at (610) 871-5200, ext. 2204 to discuss the implementation of the process.
