In Pine Township, Pennsylvania, State Representative Jeremy Shaffer has introduced a bill to ensure school bus stops are located at least 300 feet away from the homes of registered sex offenders. The proposal comes in response to concerns raised by parents in the Deer Lakes School District, where school buses were reportedly picking up children in front of an offender's residence.
The legislation, which is currently seeking co-sponsors, would require school boards to notify parents if a registered sex offender resides near their child's bus stop and accommodate requests to relocate the stops. According to My Hometown Today, Shaffer stated that the bill aims to enhance student safety and builds on his earlier proposal to prevent sexually violent offenders from living within 2,500 feet of schools and daycares.
There are nearly 24,000 registered sex offenders in Pennsylvania, with sexually violent offenders subject to lifetime registration. However, the number of offenders falling into this category is not specified. A similar proposal was previously considered in 2023 but faced criticism over constitutional concerns.
The bill, if passed, would make school leaders responsible for ensuring compliance and require parental notification if exceptions are necessary. The measure is part of a broader effort to address safety concerns related to sex offenders living near schools.