Westmoreland County House Delegation Works to Better Protect Citizens from Juvenile Sex Offenders

June 11, 2026

GREENSBURG - Westmoreland County House members today announced they plan to introduce legislation to improve public safety, strengthen oversight of high-risk sexual offenders and reform Pennsylvania's management of individuals discharged from the Sexual Responsibility and Treatment Program (SRTP). The legislators are Reps. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland), Eric Davanzo (R-Westmoreland), Leslie Rossi (R-Westmoreland), Abby Major (R-Armstrong/Westmoreland), Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland) and Brian Rasel (R-Westmoreland).

SRTP is a specialized, secure treatment program operated by the Department of Human Services at Torrance State Hospital in Westmoreland County. The program serves sexually violent delinquent children, a narrowly defined category of juvenile sexual offenders who have been adjudicated delinquent for serious sexual offenses and subsequently determined by a court to suffer from a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes them likely to engage in predatory sexual offenses.

The bill is in response to significant concerns that have been raised regarding the discharge process, the lack of uniform registration and notification requirements, community placement decisions, and the concentration of placement responsibilities in a single county.

"Only sexually violent delinquent children adjudicated after December 2012 are subject to lifetime sexual offender registration requirements," the delegation said. "This creates a troubling inconsistency in our laws and a substantial number of individuals confined in the SRTP for serious sexual offenses committed before that date may ultimately be discharged into the community without any ongoing registration obligation. It should be stated that Torrance State Hospital nor its staff are to blame."

The lawmakers also noted individuals discharged from the SRTP are subject to a one-year outpatient treatment and supervision program following their release. According to the law each county is responsible for all aspects of the commitment and recommitment process, as well as providing aftercare for individuals from their respective counties. However, lawmakers have been notified that a concentration of offenders is being placed in Westmoreland County despite them coming from areas across the state.

"No single county should bear a disproportionate share of the responsibility for managing individuals discharged from a statewide treatment program for sexual offenders," they said. "A single year of community-based supervision is also insufficient to ensure a successful transition to independent living. The period immediately following discharge is the most critical time for monitoring compliance with treatment, evaluating behavioral adjustment and identifying emerging risk factors."

The bill would require:
• All individuals discharged from the SRTP to be subject to lifetime sexual offender registration and oversight requirements, regardless of when they were adjudicated delinquent.
• All counties to participate in the placement process and assist in identifying appropriate housing and support services for individuals discharged from the SRTP who are returning to their communities.
• The establishment of a network of supervised transitional homes throughout Pennsylvania designed specifically for individuals discharged from the SRTP.
• The extension of the required outpatient treatment and supervision period from one year to two years. The additional year will provide treatment professionals and supervising authorities with greater opportunities to monitor progress and facilitate a safer and more gradual reintegration into communities.

The group met with stakeholders, including the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board, the Department of Human Services, SRTP officials and Westmoreland County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. This legislation is a product of those meetings.

"There are reasonable and simple expectations on the part of residents throughout Westmoreland County that those who are convicted of crimes will be punished and that adequate protections and transparency requirements are in place upon a criminal's release," the delegation said. "The details around this situation strike at the heart of those expectations and the General Assembly can and should take immediate action."

Several of the lawmakers announced the planned legislation Thursday at a press conference at Twin Lakes Park. Click here to watch today's press conference.

Westmoreland County House Delegation
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450