Another Law Based on Fear and Lies
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 Boys Art and Entertainment LGBT+ RSOL Politics Science, Technology, Health Current events Deaths by Staff Writer - January , 2022
 Pennsylvania state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Ambridge plans to introduce legislation within the next few weeks making it difficult for some of the states most vulnerable citizens, aging and ailing convicted sex offenders to enter long-term care facilities. Under current Pennsylvania law and in many other states, facilities are not required to accept any patient. Care facilities maintain that caring for people on the registry increases their liability. The new Megan's Law for nursing homes will allow Pennsylvania care facilities to more effectively deny care to those on the registry. Proponents of this law assert that, " sex offenders are quietly entering long-term care facilities, where some easily are finding their next victims". There is absolutely no evidence that this statement is true. Sex offenders are no more likely to assault, sexually or otherwise, another nursing home resident then any other resident. In fact, researchers have found that the chance of recidivism among people on the registry decreases by half for every five years an offender is out of prison, according to Jill Levenson, professor of social work at Barry University and an expert in sex offender treatment and policy. However, laws such as these are easily finding support. In Pennsylvania, this proposed law has already attracted 11 co-sponsors among those that wish to further punish and infringe upon the rights of people who have already served their debt to society. Pennsylvania lawmakers fear that they are "lagging behind" other states such as Florida and Texas in in implementing harsher restrictions. How these laws work |
