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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Borowicz offers support for opening The Central Registry
Donna M. Kshir, Lee Cougardawn Roberts and Rep. Stephania Borowicz
RENOVO, PA- Two grandmothers, Donna M. Kshir (above left) and Lee Cougardawn Roberts (above right), seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse in the state are one step closer to seeing their vision come to light.
On April 5, Ms. Kshir sat down with Republican State Representative Stephanie Borowicz to see if they could gain her support and sponsorship of legislation. This time around, Borowicz offered support and suggested the duo meet with Republican Senator Cris Dush. Borowicz offered to sit in on that meeting.
The biggest roadblock the pair has faced has been the misunderstanding of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System and the central registry.
READ MORE HERE
Source: https://therecord-online.com/site/archives/94496
On April 5, Ms. Kshir sat down with Republican State Representative Stephanie Borowicz to see if they could gain her support and sponsorship of legislation. This time around, Borowicz offered support and suggested the duo meet with Republican Senator Cris Dush. Borowicz offered to sit in on that meeting.
The biggest roadblock the pair has faced has been the misunderstanding of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System and the central registry.
READ MORE HERE
Source: https://therecord-online.com/site/archives/94496
Clinton County Record: Borowicz offers support for opening The Central Registry
Two recent articles in the Williamsport Sun-Gazette indicate progress in the unyielding fight for transparency and for a public with better tools to be more fully informed.
First, in the weekend edition of the Sun-Gazette, two Clinton County women, Donna Kshir and Lee Roberts, are working diligently on making the child abuse registry available to the public.
“They believe opening the central registry will give parents the opportunity to protect their children,” Lexi Howard, who is working with Kshir and Roberts, told the Sun-Gazette.
Their efforts should be commended by all parents and by all readers who care about the safety of the children of our communities. We all should hope their efforts succeed.
Second, an Associated Press article in Monday’s Sun-Gazette examined how newspapers and the media are using “open source” investigations to better inform the public.
The use of publicly available documents and material, such as satellite images, phone and security camera footage and internet tools to add detail and context to important coverage.
The Associated Press article noted the use of open source investigation on coverage of the conflict in Ukraine, the “Arab Spring” protest movement about a decade ago and on coverage of stories closer to home, such as deaths at a Travis Scott concert in 2021 and incidents of excessive police force.
As technology — and the world — continues to evolve, we hope the opportunities for using these tools to more fully tell important stories and to provide the public with information they need continue to present themselves.
Both the use of open source investigations and the efforts of Kshir and Roberts to equip parents and their neighbors with knowledge about the perpetrators of serious crimes are important and positive signs that the opportunities for a better informed public will not be missed.
Source
First, in the weekend edition of the Sun-Gazette, two Clinton County women, Donna Kshir and Lee Roberts, are working diligently on making the child abuse registry available to the public.
“They believe opening the central registry will give parents the opportunity to protect their children,” Lexi Howard, who is working with Kshir and Roberts, told the Sun-Gazette.
Their efforts should be commended by all parents and by all readers who care about the safety of the children of our communities. We all should hope their efforts succeed.
Second, an Associated Press article in Monday’s Sun-Gazette examined how newspapers and the media are using “open source” investigations to better inform the public.
The use of publicly available documents and material, such as satellite images, phone and security camera footage and internet tools to add detail and context to important coverage.
The Associated Press article noted the use of open source investigation on coverage of the conflict in Ukraine, the “Arab Spring” protest movement about a decade ago and on coverage of stories closer to home, such as deaths at a Travis Scott concert in 2021 and incidents of excessive police force.
As technology — and the world — continues to evolve, we hope the opportunities for using these tools to more fully tell important stories and to provide the public with information they need continue to present themselves.
Both the use of open source investigations and the efforts of Kshir and Roberts to equip parents and their neighbors with knowledge about the perpetrators of serious crimes are important and positive signs that the opportunities for a better informed public will not be missed.
Source
Senator Doug Mastriano Rally
May 12, 2022 - Clinton County, PA
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Williamsport Sun-Gazette
MAY 7, 2022 MARK MARONEY /Reporter
PHOTO PROVIDED This combination photo shows Donna M. Kshir, left, and Lee Roberts.
Donna M. Kshir and Lee Roberts, both grandmothers, want people to be able to search offenders by name and location, according to Lexi Howard, an assistant and spokeswoman for Kshir and Roberts.
The grandmothers are seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse offenses in the state, including their name, date of birth, the tier of the crime and the location the crime took place which is often needed to find court records.
Past and latest efforts:
Since 2015, Kshir and Roberts have been trying to get the child abuse registry to be open.
READ MORE HERE
The grandmothers are seeking legislation to become law that would require the State Police to open the current private computerized database of individuals convicted of child abuse offenses in the state, including their name, date of birth, the tier of the crime and the location the crime took place which is often needed to find court records.
Past and latest efforts:
Since 2015, Kshir and Roberts have been trying to get the child abuse registry to be open.
READ MORE HERE
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'Maris Commits'
With the Primary Election right around the corner, Denise Maris, the Democratic candidate for the State House of Representatives from the 76th District, is not wasting any time getting down to business.
On Thursday, March 3, Ms. Maris met with child rights activists Donna Kshir (Clinton County, Pennsylvania) and Lee Roberts (Crestview, Florida). Both Ms. Kshir and Roberts are highly respected activists using their voice for Conner’s Law - Kentucky and receiving a Letter of Recommendation, Animal Rescue, Rights, Children’s Rights, Missing and Unidentified Persons, the Homeless, Domestic Violence, and the Deaf Community. READ MORE HERE
Source
On Thursday, March 3, Ms. Maris met with child rights activists Donna Kshir (Clinton County, Pennsylvania) and Lee Roberts (Crestview, Florida). Both Ms. Kshir and Roberts are highly respected activists using their voice for Conner’s Law - Kentucky and receiving a Letter of Recommendation, Animal Rescue, Rights, Children’s Rights, Missing and Unidentified Persons, the Homeless, Domestic Violence, and the Deaf Community. READ MORE HERE
Source
