Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2 (2026)

Failure to comply with 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. I registration requirements.

✓ current as of May 2026

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§ 4915.2. Failure to comply with 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. I registration requirements.

(a) Offense defined.--An individual who is subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a), (a.1) or (b) (relating to registration) or who was subject to registration under former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793 (relating to registration of certain offenders for ten years) commits an offense if the individual knowingly fails to:

(1) register with the Pennsylvania State Police as required under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.56 (relating to registration procedures and applicability);

(2) verify the individual's residence or be photographed as required under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.60 (relating to verification of residence); or

(3) provide accurate information when registering under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.56 or verifying a residence under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.60.

(a.1) Counseling.--The following apply:

(1) An individual who is designated as a sexually violent predator commits an offense if the individual knowingly fails to comply with 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.70 (relating to counseling of sexually violent predators).

(2) An individual who is subject to a counseling requirement under a sex offender registration statute following conviction in another jurisdiction commits an offense if the individual knowingly fails to comply with that requirement, as provided in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.56(b)(4)(i).

(b) Grading for offenders who must register for 10 years.--

(1) (Reserved).

(2) Except as set forth in paragraph (3), an individual subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a) or (a.1) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793 and required to register for a period of 10 years who commits a violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) commits a felony of the third degree.

(3) An individual subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a) or (a.1) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793 and required to register for a period of 10 years who commits a violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) and who has previously been convicted of an offense under subsection (a)(1) or (2) or a similar offense commits a felony of the second degree.

(4) An individual subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a) or (a.1) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793 and required to register for a period of 10 years who violates subsection (a)(3) commits a felony of the second degree.

(c) Grading for sexually violent predators and others with lifetime registration.--

(1) (Reserved).

(2) Except as set forth in paragraph (3), an individual subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(b) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793 and who is subject to lifetime registration who commits a violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) commits a felony of the second degree.

(3) An individual subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(b) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793 and who is subject to lifetime registration who commits a violation of subsection (a)(1) or (2) and who has previously been convicted of an offense under subsection (a)(1) or (2) or a similar offense commits a felony of the first degree.

(4) An individual subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(b) or former 42 Pa.C.S. § 9793 and who is subject to lifetime registration who violates subsection (a)(3) commits a felony of the first degree.

(c.1) Grading for failure to comply with counseling requirements.--An individual designated as a sexually violent predator or an individual who is subject to a counseling requirement under a sex offender registration statute following conviction in another jurisdiction who commits a violation of subsection (a.1) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(d) Effect of notice.--Neither failure on the part of the Pennsylvania State Police to send nor failure of a sexually violent predator or offender to receive a notice or information under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.54(b) (relating to applicability) or 9799.60(a.1), (b.1) or (b.3) shall be a defense to a prosecution commenced against an individual arising from a violation of this section. The provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 9799.54(b) and 9799.60(a.1), (b.1) or (b.3) are not an element of an offense under this section.

(e) Arrests for violation.--

(1) A police officer shall have the same right of arrest without a warrant as in a felony whenever the police officer has probable cause to believe an individual has committed a violation of this section regardless of whether the violation occurred in the presence of the police officer.

(2) An individual arrested for a violation of this section shall be afforded a preliminary arraignment by the proper issuing authority without unnecessary delay. In no case may the individual be released from custody without first having appeared before the issuing authority.

(3) Prior to admitting an individual arrested for a violation of this section to bail, the issuing authority shall require all of the following:

(i) The individual must be fingerprinted and photographed in the manner required by 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. I (relating to continued registration of sexual offenders).

(ii) The individual must provide the Pennsylvania State Police with all current or intended residences, all information concerning current or intended employment, including all employment locations, and all information concerning current or intended enrollment as a student. If the individual has a residence as defined in paragraph (2) of the definition of "residence" set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.53 (relating to definitions), the individual must provide the Pennsylvania State Police with the information required under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.56(a)(2)(i)(A), (B) and (C).

(iii) Law enforcement must make reasonable attempts to verify the information provided by the individual.

(e.1) Affirmative defense.--It is an affirmative defense for any prosecution under this section that the individual acted in accordance with a court order under section 9799.59 (relating to exemption from certain notifications).

(f) Applicability.--This section applies to:

(1) An individual who committed an offense set forth in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55 on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012, and whose period of registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55 has not expired.

(2) An individual who was required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police under a former sexual offender registration law of this Commonwealth on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012, whose period of registration has not expired.

(3) An individual who, before February 21, 2018:

(i) commits an offense subject to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. H (relating to registration of sexual offenders); but

(ii) because of a judicial determination on or after February 21, 2018, of the invalidity of 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch. H, is not subject to registration as a sexual offender.

(g) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Sexually violent predator." As defined in 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.53.

"Similar offense." An offense similar to an offense under either subsection (a)(1) or (2) under the laws of this Commonwealth, the United States or one of its territories or possessions, another state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or a foreign nation.

(Feb. 21, 2018, P.L.27, No.10, eff. imd.; June 12, 2018, P.L.140, No.29, eff. imd.)

2018 Amendments. Act 10 added section 4915.2 and Act 29 reenacted and amended section 4915.2. See section 20(2) of Act 10 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability. See section 21(2) of Act 29 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability.

Cross References. Section 4915.2 is referred to in sections 9122.1, 9122.3 of this title; sections 9799.56, 9799.59, 9799.60 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 37 cases (28 in the last 5 years), 2015–2025 · leading case: Com. v. Zack, J., 2021 Pa. Super. 164 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).

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Com. v. Zack, J., 2021 Pa. Super. 164 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). · cites it 3× “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. 10 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.”

Com. v. Crenshaw, E., 306 A.3d 383 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). · cites it 4× “Consequently, Appellants had no obligation to register in accordance with §§ 56 or 60 and could not validly be convicted pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2 for failing to do so.”

Com. v. Beauchamps, N., 2024 Pa. Super. 160 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). · cites it 3× “6 The criminal information charged Appellant with violating 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. The Commonwealth moved to amend the charges to 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth v. Roberts, W., Aplt. (Pa. 2025). · cites it 10× “The form further instructed Roberts that, as a Tier III reporter, he was required to abide by the terms and conditions of SORNA for the remainder of his lifetime,18 and that failure to comply with any aspect of his mandatory duties as a sexual offender constitutes a felony…”

Com. v. Kling, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). · cites it 8× “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. Currently, and applicable to Kling, this section applies to an individual who committed an offense set forth in 42 Pa.”

Com. v. Phillips, D. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). · cites it 5× “The parties stipulated that Appellant is required to register for life under SORNA as a result of an aggravated indecent assault conviction of February 20, 2004.”

Com. v. Born, A. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). · cites it 5× “His conviction in this case is instead pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2 based upon his failure to abide by the registration requirements of the subsequently-enacted Subchapter I which mandated his registration in 2019 and 2020.”

Com. v. Crenshaw, E. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). · cites it 3× “- 24 - J-A02020-23 J-A02030-23 they did not, they were properly convicted for violating 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. Accordingly, we affirm their judgments of sentence.”

Com. v. Walter, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2025). · cites it 3× “55(b) (relating to registration), a sexually violent predator shall be required to attend at least monthly counseling sessions in a program approved by the board and be financially responsible for all fees assessed from the counseling sessions.”

Com. v. Munoz-Rodriguez, A., 2024 Pa. Super. 250 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). · cites it 4× “Specifically, Munoz-Rodriguez claimed that the PSP erroneously determined that he is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under SORNA based on its conclusion that his 2003 ____________________________________________ 5 See 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 4915.2(a)(1), 4915.2(c)(3).”

S.H. Steinman v. T.C. Blocker, Comm'r of the PSP, of the Com. of PA (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019). · cites it 2× “8 Section 21(2) of Act 29 more fully provides: The reenactment or amendment of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2 and 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch.”

T.S. v. Psp (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2020). · cites it 2× “2 of the Crimes Code,] 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2[12] (relating to failure to comply with 42 Pa.”

Show all 37 citing cases →

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(1)(a) — 1 case

Com. v. Crenshaw, E. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “- 24 - J-A02020-23 J-A02030-23 they did not, they were properly convicted for violating 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. Accordingly, we affirm their judgments of sentence.”

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(a) — 6 cases

Com. v. Crenshaw, E., 306 A.3d 383 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “Consequently, Appellants had no obligation to register in accordance with §§ 56 or 60 and could not validly be convicted pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2 for failing to do so.”

Com. v. Beauchamps, N., 2024 Pa. Super. 160 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). “6 The criminal information charged Appellant with violating 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. The Commonwealth moved to amend the charges to 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth v. Roberts, W., Aplt. (Pa. 2025). “The form further instructed Roberts that, as a Tier III reporter, he was required to abide by the terms and conditions of SORNA for the remainder of his lifetime,18 and that failure to comply with any aspect of his mandatory duties as a sexual offender constitutes a felony…”

S.H. Steinman v. T.C. Blocker, Comm'r of the PSP, of the Com. of PA (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2019). “8 Section 21(2) of Act 29 more fully provides: The reenactment or amendment of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2 and 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 97 Subch.”

T.S. v. Psp (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2020). “2 of the Crimes Code,] 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2[12] (relating to failure to comply with 42 Pa.”

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(a)(1) — 13 cases

Com. v. Ziff, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).

Com. v. Fornah, G. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).

Com. v. David, E. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(a)(2) — 9 cases

Com. v. Munoz-Rodriguez, A., 2024 Pa. Super. 250 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024). “Specifically, Munoz-Rodriguez claimed that the PSP erroneously determined that he is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under SORNA based on its conclusion that his 2003 ____________________________________________ 5 See 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 4915.2(a)(1), 4915.2(c)(3).”

Com. v. Phillips, D. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “The parties stipulated that Appellant is required to register for life under SORNA as a result of an aggravated indecent assault conviction of February 20, 2004.”

Com. v. Kling, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. Currently, and applicable to Kling, this section applies to an individual who committed an offense set forth in 42 Pa.”

Com. v. Walter, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2025). “55(b) (relating to registration), a sexually violent predator shall be required to attend at least monthly counseling sessions in a program approved by the board and be financially responsible for all fees assessed from the counseling sessions.”

Com. v. Krout, G., Jr. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(a)(2)(1) — 2 cases

Com. v. Biddle, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).

Com. v. Kling, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. Currently, and applicable to Kling, this section applies to an individual who committed an offense set forth in 42 Pa.”

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(b) — 5 cases

Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Witmayer, M. (Pa. 2020).

M.G. v. Psp (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2020).

J.B. v. Psp (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2022).

R. R. v. Psp (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2023).

Com. v. Morgan, R., 2021 Pa. Super. 143 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(c)(3) — 1 case

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(f) — 1 case

Com. v. Kling, R. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2. Currently, and applicable to Kling, this section applies to an individual who committed an offense set forth in 42 Pa.”

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4915.2(f)(3) — 1 case

Com. v. Born, A. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “His conviction in this case is instead pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4915.2 based upon his failure to abide by the registration requirements of the subsequently-enacted Subchapter I which mandated his registration in 2019 and 2020.”

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