‘Robin’s Law’ would create domestic violence offender registry in Pennsylvania

(WHTM) — A Lehigh Valley state senator wants Pennsylvania to implement a statewide domestic violence offender registry.

Dubbed “Robin’s Law” in memory of Robin Shaffer, a Quakertown woman murdered by her estranged husband, Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) says the law is similar to one recently adopted in Tennessee.

The proposed registry “is designed to identify repeat domestic violence offenders, improve victim safety, and provide law enforcement and the public with critical information about individuals with documented patterns of domestic abuse,” Boscola said in a co-sponsorship memo circulated Thursday.

“Domestic violence is not always a one-time offense,” Boscola added. “Too often, individuals repeatedly engage in violent conduct against intimate partners or family members, escalating in severity over time and leaving multiple victims in their wake.”

If passed, the bill would establish a publicly-accessible domestic violence offender registry maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police.

Those convicted of “qualifying domestic violence-related offenses and demonstrate a documented pattern of repeat abuse would be required to register.”

“While Pennsylvania maintains robust criminal penalties for domestic violence offenses, there is currently no statewide mechanism to track and publicly identify persistent domestic violence offenders once they reenter the community,” Boscola noted.