Pennsylvania § 5007 - Certain offenders residing in group-based homes.

§ 5007. Certain offenders residing in group-based homes.

(a) Notification requirement.--

(1) A group-based home located within a county of the sixth, seventh or eighth class that agrees to provide housing to an individual knowing that the individual has been previously convicted of an offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502 (relating to murder) or a substantially similar offense committed in another jurisdiction shall notify the head of the governing body of the municipality and the county in which the group-based home is located that the individual is staying at the group-based home.

(2) The notification required under paragraph (1) shall be sent by certified mail within 48 hours of the individual's arrival at the group-based home and shall include the following information:

(i) Name of the individual, including all known aliases.

(ii) Date of the individual's arrival at the group-based home.

(iii) The individual's expected length of stay at the group-based home.

(iv) Contact information for the group-based home.

(b) Public hearing.--

(1) The governing body of a municipality or county receiving notification from a group-based-home provider under subsection (a) may conduct a public hearing concerning the group-based-home provider, its site and its operations.

(2) All hearings shall be conducted in compliance with 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings). A governing body conducting a public hearing under this subsection shall announce the hearing via posting on its official publicly accessible Internet website no less than two weeks prior to the hearing. The announcement shall provide information regarding the purpose, location, date and time of the public hearing and a contact number for interested persons to call in order to obtain additional information about the hearing.

(3) At a public hearing under this subsection, the group-based-home provider shall explain the operation of the group-based home and the governing body conducting the hearing shall permit public questions and comments.

(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Group-based home." A nonprofit or for-profit entity that maintains a facility that provides housing to individuals on probation or parole or other individuals previously convicted of crimes. The term shall not include a correctional institution or a facility maintained by a domestic violence program.

(June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.)

2021 Amendment. Act 59 added section 5007.

Cross References. Section 5007 is referred to in sections 9799.25, 9799.55 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).