Central Bucks Today

Reps. Shelby Labs, Kristin Marcell, K.C. Tomlinson, Abby Major, and Natalie Mihalek have introduced a legislative package aimed at enhancing protections for stalking victims in Pennsylvania. The proposed measures seek to address gaps in current laws and provide law enforcement with tools to be more proactive.

"This legislation was the result of many months of collaborative work between local law enforcement and constituents based on real-life cases," stated Labs. "The goal of this legislation was to identify and close the gaps in our current laws, give law enforcement the ability to be more proactive, and ultimately give victims greater protection."

Labs' proposals include broadening criminal liability under Pennsylvania’s stalking statute and requiring certain offenders to notify authorities if they change jobs or residences. Another proposal would create a fund for hiring civilian community relations specialists in police departments.

Marcell's proposal focuses on allowing judges to deny social media access to stalkers during Protection from Abuse proceedings. "This legislation will provide critical protections for stalking victims by ensuring that those who seek to harm or intimidate through social media will no longer have that avenue available to them," said Marcell.

Tomlinson has proposed mandatory minimum penalties for repeat stalking offenses. "Given the world we live in today with social media stalking is easier than ever," Tomlinson remarked.

Major's legislation seeks harsher penalties when the victim is a minor and the offender is an adult significantly older than the victim. "There should be enhanced penalties when the victim is a minor," Major emphasized.

Mihalek aims to expand legal protections under Pennsylvania’s Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence and Intimidation Act (PVSVI Act) to all stalking victims. "If stalking victims are better protected, hopefully we can reduce the instances that stalking becomes an act of violence or worse," Mihalek noted.

Additionally, Labs and Marcell have proposed recognizing January 2025 as “Stalking Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one-third of women and one-sixth of men in the U.S. experience stalking during their lifetimes. The legislative package aims to enhance legal protections for these individuals while increasing penalties for perpetrators.