HARRISBURG – June 7, 2019 – A rally will be held Monday, June 10 for Karen’s Law (SB 123) at 11:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda. The rally will highlight the bipartisan support for the bill sponsored by Sen. John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia). Crime Victim Advocates from across the state are attending, speakers include:
- Jen Storm – PA Office of Victim Advocate
- Donna Greco – PA Coalition Against Rape
- Carol Lavery – Crime Victims Alliance of Pennsylvania
- Karen Widdoss – Self-Advocate (of Karen’s law)
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Karen’s Law (SB123) in March. The bill passed unanimously. It is now before the full Senate for consideration.
“Karen’s Law supports victims of sexually violent crimes,” Sabatina said. “This legislative progress sends a message to Pennsylvanians that we’re tough on these heinous crimes, but also caring of the experience of the survivors.”
Karen’s Law would limit parole eligibility for Sexually Violent Predators (SVP), prolonging the time between parole applications from one year to three years.
“Named after Karen Widdoss-Milewski, a constituent and survivor of violent crime, I introduced Karen’s Law to limit the parole re-application process for sexually violent predators,” Sabatina said. “This will provide much-needed protections for victims of sexually violent crimes and works to combat the re-victimization of survivors.”
Under Karen’s Law, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole would not be required to review parole applications of those convicted of sexually violent crimes until three years after their most recent parole application. It is supported by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Radar Project, the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, Woman Organized Against Rape (WOAR), Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate, Pennsylvania FOP and Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, and countless survivors of violent crime.
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