Tougher abuse law stresses reporting

HARRISBURG

- More than a month after Jerry Sandusky was arrested on child-molestation charges, a new law went on the books yesterday, expanding the state's institutional sexual-assault offense.

Flanked by lawmakers and state troopers, Gov. Corbett signed the bill to revise the state's version of Megan's Law and bring the state into compliance with federal sex-offender registration standards.

"We can hope that by making our laws tougher, we can spare others the pain and grief that has visited too many families," Corbett said.

The law gives prosecutors changes they had long sought to enforce Megan's Law registration requirements for homeless people and those convicted in other states.

It also expands the crime of institutional sexual assault so that it applies to employees, volunteers and other adults who work with children in schools or other centers.