[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Scranton as
indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 11-2-2006 by Ord. No. 53-2006]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A licensed day-care center, licensed child-care facility or any other
child-care services facility exempt from licensing pursuant to the laws of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The City of Scranton, including its residents and all land within
its territorial boundaries.
Any building and/or related facilities used for educational, social,
cultural or recreational activities.
The area of land or water available and accessible for use by the
public and residents of the City which is restricted from future development
for the purpose of protecting natural features or for providing recreational
opportunities for the residents of the City. Open space generally includes
such land or area of land that is regulated, maintained or owned by the City,
and may include steep slopes, floodplains and other significant features to
be preserved.
Any land, or tract of land, or facility used for passive or active
recreation, including any playground, park, skate parks, athletic fields and
any other facility owned or operated by the City or any other governmental
agency, including Lackawanna County or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, also
including any and all fields regularly used by children for sporting contests
including but not limited to Little League baseball, football, soccer or basketball.
Any educational building or facility that provides educational services
to a minor child, as defined by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
including any public or private facility.
Any person, over the age of 18 years, who has been convicted of any
sexual offense or crimes as defined in 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 9795.1, including
but not limited to: kidnapping where the victim is a minor, institutional
sexual assault, indecent assault, incest, prostitution and related offenses,
sexual abuse of a child, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual exploitation
of a minor, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault,
and aggravated indecent assault. Sex offender shall also include any individuals
convicted of any attempt to commit the offenses as enumerated herein.
A.Â
It shall be unlawful for any sex offender or other person
over the age of 18 years who has been convicted of a violation which requires
registration pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 9791 et seq., or who has
been convicted of a violation which requires registration in another jurisdiction,
to reside, lodge, abide or live within 2,500 feet of any school, child-care
facility, open space, community center, public park or recreational facility
in the City.
B.Â
For the purpose of determining the minimum distance separation,
the distance shall be measured by following a straight line from the outer
property line of the residence or lodging of the sex offender to the nearest
outer property line of the school, child-care facility, open space, community
center, public park or recreational facility.
C.Â
Such person who resides or lives within 2,500 feet of
any school, child-care facility, open space, community center, public park
or recreational facility in the City shall have 60 days from receipt of written
notice of the prohibition set forth herein to move. Failure to move to a location
which is in compliance with this section within that time period shall constitute
a violation of this chapter.
This article shall not apply to any person or sex offender who has established
a residence prior to the date of adoption of this article, and shall not apply
if the school, child-care facility, open space, community center, public park
or recreational facility within 2,500 feet of the sex offender's residence
or lodging was established subsequent to the establishment of the sex offender's
residence of lodging. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any
person or sex offender who has established a residence or lodging and then
relocates to a different residence or lodging within the City after the adoption
of this article.
Any violation of this article shall be punishable by imprisonment for
a term not exceeding 90 days and a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation,
in addition to the costs of prosecution and attorney's fees.
All agencies and authorities within the City, including but not limited
to the Scranton Police Department, have full authority to enforce this article
and impose such fines and other penalties as necessary and appropriate.
