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WHEREAS, on June 10, 2024, Reps. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) and Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) and Sen. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny) came together to announce Alicia's Law in the Pennsylvania House and Senate; and,
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WHEREAS, House Bill 2199 and Senate Bill 1233 would create a process to establish state and local task forces across the Commonwealth to fight internet crimes against children. These task forces would supplement and enhance the work of the existing federal Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, under which 61 task forces nationwide receive funding, training and technical assistance for the protection of children who are online. One of these currently operates in Pennsylvania; and,
WHEREAS, since technology and predator tactics have vastly changed since 2002, we must fight to ensure that Law Enforcement are best-equipped to do their work in order to keep pace with evolving technology; and,
WHEREAS, Alicia's Law is taking a proactive step to provide crucial funding for the prosecution of technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and other online crimes targeting children; and,
WHEREAS, Alicia's Law already is in effect in 12 states. Passing Alicia's Law is a vital step in our commitment to protect our children and ensure justice for those who have suffered; and,
WHEREAS, the Law is named after Alicia Kozak, who was abducted from her Pittsburgh home by an internet predator at the age of 13 in 2002. She became the first known case of such a crime. Alicia was chained and held captive in the perpetrator's dungeon in Virginia. Since her rescue, Alicia has been an outspoken advocate for internet safety by working to educate the public and policymakers about the dangers of online predators and ways to end predatory crime; and,
WHEREAS, Alicia, who grew up in the Crafton Heights neighborhood, currently lives in Raleigh North Carolina; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of...
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