UPDATE: Child Abuse Registry
The proposal for a new law doesn't seem very exciting to most people but to two local activists, it is a beautiful thing.
Child rights activists, Donna Kshir and Lee Cougardawn Roberts have spent nearly a decade speaking with politicians, lawmakers, groups, organizations, and anyone who would listen about a state-wide public child abuse registry similar to Megan's Law.
Kshir documented the majority of their journey on her podcast, The Daily with Donna Kshir which airs on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple, and Amazon Music. The goal was to share the high and low points on the road to getting a public child abuse registry, or public central registry, as she often refers to it. The idea came to her in 2015 while working on Conner's Law - Kentucky after learning that 2-year-old Conner Bachuss' killer was a repeat abuser.
Kshir said, "If there was a public database like Megan's Law that housed convicted child abusers' information it could be used as a tool to prevent child abuse before inviting someone into your home, getting into a relationship, or if your child was going to play on a sports team." She added, "It could prevent the abuse from happening."
After repeatedly being turned down hundreds of times by lawmakers not seeing her vision Kshir's friend 'Laurie" suggested reaching out to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Disappointed and frustrated with no immediate response back from the governor she took the weekend off to attend a family reunion. There she spoke with her cousin 'Casey.' It was then he told her about Rep. Aaron Berstine (R-Lawrence, Butler) who represented his area in Elwood City. He described Bernstine as 'awesome' and complimented 'his very caring nature when it came to protecting children and the elderly.' She emailed him.
The next morning she woke up to an email from Bernstine. She was resistant to opening it at first, but when she did she found Bernstine loved the idea.
Loving the idea and wasting no time, on August 20, Bernstine posted on the House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda:
"In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that will establish a registry of those individuals convicted of committing child abuse. This registry will better help protect our communities across the Commonwealth by ensuring important information related to child abusers is available to the public in an easy and accessible manner."
On August 28, Kshir received a response from Governor Shapiro:
"I am grateful that you are participating in our democratic process—civic engagement is a right of all Pennsylvanians, and we all need to do our part. I have always sought to bring different perspectives around the table, and I know that the people’s perspectives make me a better Governor and help us to make meaningful progress for everyone in Pennsylvania. Please be assured that your comments are valuable to me, and, though we may not always agree, I will always listen," Shapiro said.
When asked her thoughts on Shapiro's email Kshir said, "We may not always agree. He's right. I don't agree with the fact that it's okay to hide people who abuse and kill children on a private database. Why does an abuser or killer have more rights than the child they physically abused or killed? Children are innocent. They need to be protected. We as a society need to stop giving these people slaps on the wrists and making plea deals with child abusers and killers. Our children deserve better regardless if Mr. Shapiro agrees or not."
A few weeks later, on September 4, Bernstine appeared as a guest with Kshir and Roberts on The Whole Issue with Canadian-American radio personality Laurie Ann Smith to discuss a public child abuse registry. Roberts commented on Bernstine's strength to protect our most vulnerable.
On December 20, WTAJ reporter Hayden Thompson covered a news story 'Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have introduced two bills aimed at violent crimes and child abuse.'
Thompson outlined Bernstine's proposal as the Child Abuse Registry bill looks to establish a public registry for anyone convicted of committing child abuse.
Berstine argued in his memorandum:
“My legislation will require defendants convicted of certain child abuse offenses such as aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of a minor, and kidnapping to register and provide a variety of information to the Pennsylvania State Police including if they obtain a new job, residency or vehicle,” Bernstine wrote in his memorandum. “This registry will be very similar to the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”) or more commonly referred to as Megan’s Law.”
Child abuse is defined as any kind of action or failure that results in harm or possible harm to a child under the age of 18 years old. The level of harm can take many forms, including but not limited to bodily or mental injury, sexual abuse, or exploitation. Statistics show that one in four girls and one in thirteen boys are estimated to experience child abuse in the United States. The risk of girls being abused is 3 times higher.
Anyone submitted to the registry would be required to provide a current phone number, aliases, nicknames and/or pseudonyms used as well as general information about themselves; including tattoos and distinguished marks.
On Saturday, February 23, via a Facebook post on Advocates United for Humanity, Bernstine was asked "How long it would be for an update?" and "Do you think the bill will get passed this year?" Bernstine commented, I am working on getting it through committee and hope to have more information in the next few weeks."
Bernstine was also the force behind "Markie's Law."
Child rights activists, Donna Kshir and Lee Cougardawn Roberts have spent nearly a decade speaking with politicians, lawmakers, groups, organizations, and anyone who would listen about a state-wide public child abuse registry similar to Megan's Law.
Kshir documented the majority of their journey on her podcast, The Daily with Donna Kshir which airs on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple, and Amazon Music. The goal was to share the high and low points on the road to getting a public child abuse registry, or public central registry, as she often refers to it. The idea came to her in 2015 while working on Conner's Law - Kentucky after learning that 2-year-old Conner Bachuss' killer was a repeat abuser.
Kshir said, "If there was a public database like Megan's Law that housed convicted child abusers' information it could be used as a tool to prevent child abuse before inviting someone into your home, getting into a relationship, or if your child was going to play on a sports team." She added, "It could prevent the abuse from happening."
After repeatedly being turned down hundreds of times by lawmakers not seeing her vision Kshir's friend 'Laurie" suggested reaching out to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Disappointed and frustrated with no immediate response back from the governor she took the weekend off to attend a family reunion. There she spoke with her cousin 'Casey.' It was then he told her about Rep. Aaron Berstine (R-Lawrence, Butler) who represented his area in Elwood City. He described Bernstine as 'awesome' and complimented 'his very caring nature when it came to protecting children and the elderly.' She emailed him.
The next morning she woke up to an email from Bernstine. She was resistant to opening it at first, but when she did she found Bernstine loved the idea.
Loving the idea and wasting no time, on August 20, Bernstine posted on the House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda:
"In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that will establish a registry of those individuals convicted of committing child abuse. This registry will better help protect our communities across the Commonwealth by ensuring important information related to child abusers is available to the public in an easy and accessible manner."
On August 28, Kshir received a response from Governor Shapiro:
"I am grateful that you are participating in our democratic process—civic engagement is a right of all Pennsylvanians, and we all need to do our part. I have always sought to bring different perspectives around the table, and I know that the people’s perspectives make me a better Governor and help us to make meaningful progress for everyone in Pennsylvania. Please be assured that your comments are valuable to me, and, though we may not always agree, I will always listen," Shapiro said.
When asked her thoughts on Shapiro's email Kshir said, "We may not always agree. He's right. I don't agree with the fact that it's okay to hide people who abuse and kill children on a private database. Why does an abuser or killer have more rights than the child they physically abused or killed? Children are innocent. They need to be protected. We as a society need to stop giving these people slaps on the wrists and making plea deals with child abusers and killers. Our children deserve better regardless if Mr. Shapiro agrees or not."
A few weeks later, on September 4, Bernstine appeared as a guest with Kshir and Roberts on The Whole Issue with Canadian-American radio personality Laurie Ann Smith to discuss a public child abuse registry. Roberts commented on Bernstine's strength to protect our most vulnerable.
On December 20, WTAJ reporter Hayden Thompson covered a news story 'Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have introduced two bills aimed at violent crimes and child abuse.'
Thompson outlined Bernstine's proposal as the Child Abuse Registry bill looks to establish a public registry for anyone convicted of committing child abuse.
Berstine argued in his memorandum:
“My legislation will require defendants convicted of certain child abuse offenses such as aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, corruption of a minor, and kidnapping to register and provide a variety of information to the Pennsylvania State Police including if they obtain a new job, residency or vehicle,” Bernstine wrote in his memorandum. “This registry will be very similar to the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”) or more commonly referred to as Megan’s Law.”
Child abuse is defined as any kind of action or failure that results in harm or possible harm to a child under the age of 18 years old. The level of harm can take many forms, including but not limited to bodily or mental injury, sexual abuse, or exploitation. Statistics show that one in four girls and one in thirteen boys are estimated to experience child abuse in the United States. The risk of girls being abused is 3 times higher.
Anyone submitted to the registry would be required to provide a current phone number, aliases, nicknames and/or pseudonyms used as well as general information about themselves; including tattoos and distinguished marks.
On Saturday, February 23, via a Facebook post on Advocates United for Humanity, Bernstine was asked "How long it would be for an update?" and "Do you think the bill will get passed this year?" Bernstine commented, I am working on getting it through committee and hope to have more information in the next few weeks."
Bernstine was also the force behind "Markie's Law."
Rep. Aaron Bernstine Supports Opening the PA Central Registry
There are 3.6 million cases of child abuse reported each year in the United States. However, it's estimated that for every case reported, two cases will go unreported. Pennsylvania currently does not offer a public website to find convicted offenders, but PA State Representative Aaron Bernstine (R) who represents Butler and Lawerence counties is ready to change that thanks to an idea by two grandmothers, Donna M. Kshir (Clinton County, PA) and Lee Cougardawn Roberts (who divides her times between Clinton County, PA and Crestview, FL).
In 2022, Kshir told the Williamsport Sun-Gazette that she and Roberts began seeking legislation to become law that would require the Pennsylvania State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse; modeling and making it public like Megan's Law.
After many rejection letters, Kshir's close friend Casey Green suggested she speak with Rep. Bernstine. On August 8, Kshir emailed Rep. Bernstine asking him to consider her and Roberts' proposal to protect children.
Rep. Bernstine immediately responded, "I LOVE THIS! I am going to put a bill together on it.
"Kshir said, "We have had so many people say they weren't interested or that I had to work within my own District. When Aaron responded back so quickly I thought it was just another rejection letter. I could not believe my eyes. I had to read his email twice." She added, After I danced around the living room shouting at the top of my lungs with excitement I called Lee to tell her the news."
Rep. Bernstine believes this new child abuse registry is something the public needs. It would require anyone convicted of certain child abuse offenses such as aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, or corruption of a minor to provide job, home, and vehicle information to Pennsylvania State Police.
“This piece of legislation is modeled after Megan’s Law which is designed specifically for sex offenders, it would basically be using the same premise and process the only difference is it’s for any crime committed against a child,” said Rep. Aaron Bernstine.
Rep. Bernstine said the registry will resemble the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Registration, better known as Megan’s Law. Individuals on Rep. Bernstine’s proposed child abuse registry would be required to provide a current telephone number, including a cell phone number, and any aliases, nicknames, or pseudonyms they use for identification.
Kshir is no stranger to working with legislators. Following a signature from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear in March 2015 would seal the deal with Conner's Law-Kentucky. Making manslaughter in the first degree, which carries a 10-20 year sentence, now includes fatal child abuse. Abusers have to serve 85 percent of that sentence before being released.
The idea to open the child abuse registry came to Kshir in 2015 after two-year-old Conner Bachuss' killer Ronald Saunders II was released from prison. Saunders had a very violent past dating back to his time in the military. That violent past was hidden on a private registry. After serving 5.5 years in prison, on a plea deal, for brutally torturing and killing the Kentucky toddler, Saunders would re-offend abusing another child within a month of his release.
Kshir's thought process was if there was a public website, like Megan's Law, to look someone up to see if they had been convicted of a violent crime against a child before becoming involved with them or inviting them into your home, that information could be used to protect children. She took it to Roberts and the two began campaigning to open the PA Central Registry.
Rep. Bernstine stated he plans to formally introduce the bill in the next few weeks. He already has co-sponsors for the bill from both sides of the aisle.
Kshir said, "I never thought this day would come. Lee and I prayed that someone would come along and see our vision to protect children. I am so thankful God sent us Aaron."
Rep. Bernstine will sit down with Kshir and Roberts on Friday, September 6 at 10 AM on 'The Whole Issue' with Canadian-American Radio Personality Laurie Ann Smith. The interview will air LIVE on YouTube, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other podcast formats.
In 2022, Kshir told the Williamsport Sun-Gazette that she and Roberts began seeking legislation to become law that would require the Pennsylvania State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse; modeling and making it public like Megan's Law.
After many rejection letters, Kshir's close friend Casey Green suggested she speak with Rep. Bernstine. On August 8, Kshir emailed Rep. Bernstine asking him to consider her and Roberts' proposal to protect children.
Rep. Bernstine immediately responded, "I LOVE THIS! I am going to put a bill together on it.
"Kshir said, "We have had so many people say they weren't interested or that I had to work within my own District. When Aaron responded back so quickly I thought it was just another rejection letter. I could not believe my eyes. I had to read his email twice." She added, After I danced around the living room shouting at the top of my lungs with excitement I called Lee to tell her the news."
Rep. Bernstine believes this new child abuse registry is something the public needs. It would require anyone convicted of certain child abuse offenses such as aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, or corruption of a minor to provide job, home, and vehicle information to Pennsylvania State Police.
“This piece of legislation is modeled after Megan’s Law which is designed specifically for sex offenders, it would basically be using the same premise and process the only difference is it’s for any crime committed against a child,” said Rep. Aaron Bernstine.
Rep. Bernstine said the registry will resemble the Pennsylvania Sexual Offender Registration, better known as Megan’s Law. Individuals on Rep. Bernstine’s proposed child abuse registry would be required to provide a current telephone number, including a cell phone number, and any aliases, nicknames, or pseudonyms they use for identification.
Kshir is no stranger to working with legislators. Following a signature from Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear in March 2015 would seal the deal with Conner's Law-Kentucky. Making manslaughter in the first degree, which carries a 10-20 year sentence, now includes fatal child abuse. Abusers have to serve 85 percent of that sentence before being released.
The idea to open the child abuse registry came to Kshir in 2015 after two-year-old Conner Bachuss' killer Ronald Saunders II was released from prison. Saunders had a very violent past dating back to his time in the military. That violent past was hidden on a private registry. After serving 5.5 years in prison, on a plea deal, for brutally torturing and killing the Kentucky toddler, Saunders would re-offend abusing another child within a month of his release.
Kshir's thought process was if there was a public website, like Megan's Law, to look someone up to see if they had been convicted of a violent crime against a child before becoming involved with them or inviting them into your home, that information could be used to protect children. She took it to Roberts and the two began campaigning to open the PA Central Registry.
Rep. Bernstine stated he plans to formally introduce the bill in the next few weeks. He already has co-sponsors for the bill from both sides of the aisle.
Kshir said, "I never thought this day would come. Lee and I prayed that someone would come along and see our vision to protect children. I am so thankful God sent us Aaron."
Rep. Bernstine will sit down with Kshir and Roberts on Friday, September 6 at 10 AM on 'The Whole Issue' with Canadian-American Radio Personality Laurie Ann Smith. The interview will air LIVE on YouTube, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, and other podcast formats.
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Donna Kshir sits down with Laurie Ann Smith on The Whole Issue to discuss the PA Central Registry. Listen now on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc... ->>> |
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