§ 9799.55. Registration.
(a) Ten-year registration.--Except as provided under subsection (a.1) or (b), the following individuals shall
be required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police for a period of 10 years:
(1) (i) (A) Individuals convicted within this Commonwealth of any of the following offenses committed
on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012:
18 Pa.C.S. § 2901 (relating to kidnapping) where the victim is a minor.
18 Pa.C.S. § 3126 (relating to indecent assault) where the offense is graded as a
misdemeanor of the first degree or higher.
18 Pa.C.S. § 4302 (relating to incest) where the victim is 12 years of age or older
but under 18 years of age.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) or (b.1) (relating to prostitution and related offenses) where
the actor promotes the prostitution of a minor.
18 Pa.C.S. § 5903(a)(3), (4), (5) or (6) (relating to obscene and other sexual materials
and performances) where the victim is a minor.
18 Pa.C.S. § 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children).
18 Pa.C.S. § 6318 (relating to unlawful contact with minor).
18 Pa.C.S. § 6320 (relating to sexual exploitation of children).
(B) Individuals convicted within this Commonwealth of an offense set forth in clause (A)
who were 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.
(ii) Individuals convicted within this Commonwealth of any of the following offenses committed
on or after January 26, 2005, but before December 20, 2012:
18 Pa.C.S. § 2910 (relating to luring a child into a motor vehicle or structure).
18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.2 (relating to institutional sexual assault).
(2) Individuals convicted of an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit any of the
offenses under paragraph (1)(i) or (ii) or subsection (b)(2).
(3) Individuals who currently have a residence in this Commonwealth who have been convicted
of offenses similar to the crimes cited in paragraphs (1)(i) or (ii) and (2) under
the laws of 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 or under
a former law of this Commonwealth.
(a.1) Exception to 10-year registration.--Except as provided under subsection (b), an individual considered to be an offender
under section 9799.56(b) (relating to registration procedures and applicability) shall
be required to register with the Pennsylvania State Police for a period less than
life, the duration of which is to be determined under sections 9799.54 (relating to
applicability) and 9799.56(b).
(b) Lifetime registration.--The following individuals shall be subject to lifetime registration:
(1) An individual with two or more convictions of any of the offenses set forth in subsection
(a).
(2) Individuals convicted:
(i) (A) in this Commonwealth of the following offenses, if committed on or after April 22,
1996, but before December 20, 2012:
18 Pa.C.S. § 3121 (relating to rape);
18 Pa.C.S. § 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse);
18 Pa.C.S. § 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault);
18 Pa.C.S. § 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault); or
18 Pa.C.S. § 4302 when the victim is under 12 years of age; or
(B) in this Commonwealth of offenses set forth in clause (A) who were 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; or
(ii) of offenses similar to the crimes cited in subparagraph (i) under the laws of 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 or under a former
law of this Commonwealth, if committed, or for which registration with the Pennsylvania
State Police under a former sexual offender registration law of this Commonwealth
was required, on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012, who currently
reside in this Commonwealth.
(3) Sexually violent predators.
(4) An individual who is considered to be a sexually violent predator under section 9799.56(b)
or who is otherwise required to register for life under section 9799.56(b), if the
sexual offense which is the basis for the consideration or requirement for which the
individual was convicted was committed, or for which registration with the Pennsylvania
State Police under a former sexual offender registration law of this Commonwealth
was required, on or after April 22, 1996, but before December 20, 2012.
(c) Natural disaster.--The occurrence of a natural disaster or other event requiring evacuation of residences
shall not relieve an individual of the duty to register or any other duty imposed
by this subchapter.
(d) Residents in group-based homes.--
(1) A group-based home may not provide concurrent residence in the group-based home to
more than five individuals in total who are required to register under Subchapter
H (relating to registration of sexual offenders) and this subchapter as sexually violent
predators.
(2) A group-based home that violates paragraph (1) shall be subject to a civil penalty
in the amount of $2,500 for a first violation and in the amount of $5,000 for a second
or subsequent violation.
(3) The Pennsylvania State Police or local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction shall
investigate compliance with this subsection, and the Attorney General or district
attorney may commence a civil action in the court of common pleas of the county in
which a group-based home is located to impose and collect from the group-based home
the penalty under paragraph (2).
(4) As used in this subsection, the term "group-based home" has the meaning given to it
in 61 Pa.C.S. § 5007(c) (relating to certain offenders residing in group-based homes).
(June 12, 2018, P.L.140, No.29, eff. imd.; June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.)
2021 Amendment. Act 59 amended subsec. (d)(4).
2018 Amendment. Act 29 reenacted section 9799.55. Section 21 of Act 10 of 2018 provided that the addition
of subsec. (d) shall apply to all group-based homes and their residents, regardless
of when the group-based homes began to provide housing or the residents began their
residency. Section 22 of Act 29 provided that the reenactment of subsec. (d) shall
apply to all group-based homes and their residents, regardless of when the group-based
homes began to provide housing or the residents began their residency.
Cross References. Section 9799.55 is referred to in sections 9799.14, 9799.52, 9799.53, 9799.54, 9799.56,
9799.58, 9799.59, 9799.60, 9799.67, 9799.70, 9799.73 of this title; sections 4915.2,
9122.1, 9122.3 of Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses); section 6303 of Title 23 (Domestic
Relations).
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
86
cases (
64 in the last 5 years), 2018–2026 · leading case:
People v. Corr, 251 N.E.3d 1226 (N.Y. 2024).
People v. Corr, 251 N.E.3d 1226 (N.Y. 2024).
“Footnote 3: States that require sex offenders to register for a minimum of 10 years include Pennsylvania (42 Pa Cons Stat § 9799.55 [a]), California (Cal Penal Code § 290 [d]), Texas (Tex Code Crim Proc Ann art 62.”
Com. v. Crenshaw, E., 306 A.3d 383, 2023 PA Super 250 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023).
· cites it 2× “42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55. Therefore, pertinent to these appeals, § 55 stipulates that people who, in a different jurisdiction, committed or attempted to commit offenses similar to those enumerated in § 55(a) are generally subject to a ten-year registration requirement, but if they…”
Com. v. Zack, J., 262 A.3d 497, 2021 PA Super 164 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).
“55 (relating to registration), has not expired”); 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(b)(3) (lifetime registration for SVPs).”
Com. v. Beauchamps, N., 320 A.3d 717, 2024 PA Super 160 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024).
“2(a) (“An individual who is subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a), (a.1) or (b) (relating to registration) .”
Com. v. Hagerty, B., No. 2035 EDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 24, 2022).
· cites it 6× “See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a)(1)(i)(A), (b)(2)(i)(A).”
Com. v. Kling, R., No. 1338 MDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Sept. 17, 2021).
· cites it 6× “Currently, and applicable to Kling, this section applies to 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.”
Commonwealth v. Witmayer, M., No. 64 MAP 2018 (Pa. July 21, 2020).
· cites it 5× “11 As well, the majority of these offenders are subject only to a ten-year reporting requirement rather than the fifteen or twenty-five year periods considered in Muniz, compare 42 Pa.C.S. §9799.55 with 42 Pa.C.S. §9799.”
T. J. v. PSP of the Com. of PA, No. 123 M.D. 2018 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Jan. 9, 2023).
· cites it 5× “55 & 9799.56. The Police posit that T.J.’s offense in New York “equated to a lifetime registration requirement in Pennsylvania.”
Com. v. Born, A., No. 30 WDA 2022 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 25, 2023).
· cites it 5× “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.” 18 Pa.”
S.H. Steinman v. T.C. Blocker, No. 255 M.D. 2018 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Nov. 15, 2019).
· cites it 4× “42 Pa. C.S. §9799.55. Of relevance here, Section 9799.”
R.O. v. Mr. T.C. Blocker, 256 A.3d 509 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021).
· cites it 4× “55 of Act 29, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55, requiring registration for a 10-year period.”
H. Cao v. PSP of The Com. of PA, No. 512 M.D. 2015 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Oct. 16, 2019).
· cites it 3× “Cao argues that the internet notification requirements imposed on him by SORNA II are punitive in nature.”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(a): 24 cases
Com. v. Beauchamps, N., 320 A.3d 717, 2024 PA Super 160 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2024).
“2(a) (“An individual who is subject to registration under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a), (a.1) or (b) (relating to registration) .”
Commonwealth v. Witmayer, M., No. 64 MAP 2018 (Pa. July 21, 2020).
“11 As well, the majority of these offenders are subject only to a ten-year reporting requirement rather than the fifteen or twenty-five year periods considered in Muniz, compare 42 Pa.C.S. §9799.55 with 42 Pa.C.S. §9799.”
Com. v. Kling, R., No. 1338 MDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Sept. 17, 2021).
“Currently, and applicable to Kling, this section applies to 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.”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(a)(1)(A): 1 case
T. J. v. PSP of the Com. of PA, No. 123 M.D. 2018 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Jan. 9, 2023).
“55 & 9799.56. The Police posit that T.J.’s offense in New York “equated to a lifetime registration requirement in Pennsylvania.”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(a)(1)(i): 1 case
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(a)(1)(i)(A): 7 cases
M.T. v. PSP, No. 94 M.D. 2022 (Pa. Commw. Ct. July 11, 2023).
Com. v. Born, A., No. 30 WDA 2022 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 25, 2023).
“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.” 18 Pa.”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(a)(1)(i)(B): 1 case
R.O. v. Mr. T.C. Blocker, 256 A.3d 509 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021).
“55 of Act 29, 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55, requiring registration for a 10-year period.”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(a)(1)(ii): 1 case
P.O. v. PSP, No. 133 M.D. 2023 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Dec. 23, 2024).
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(a)(2): 1 case
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(a)(i): 1 case
P.O. v. PSP, No. 133 M.D. 2023 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Dec. 23, 2024).
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(b): 13 cases
M.G. v. PSP, No. 201 M.D. 2019 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Sept. 25, 2020).
Com. v. Hagerty, B., No. 2035 EDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 24, 2022).
“See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a)(1)(i)(A), (b)(2)(i)(A).”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(b)(1): 1 case
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(b)(2): 6 cases
H. Cao v. PSP of The Com. of PA, No. 512 M.D. 2015 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Oct. 16, 2019).
“Cao argues that the internet notification requirements imposed on him by SORNA II are punitive in nature.”
M.G. v. PSP, No. 201 M.D. 2019 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Sept. 25, 2020).
L.S. v. PSP, No. 391 M.D. 2019 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Dec. 3, 2020).
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(b)(2)(I)(B): 1 case
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(b)(2)(i)(A): 14 cases
T. J. v. PSP of the Com. of PA, No. 123 M.D. 2018 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Jan. 9, 2023).
“55 & 9799.56. The Police posit that T.J.’s offense in New York “equated to a lifetime registration requirement in Pennsylvania.”
Com. v. Kling, R., No. 1338 MDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Sept. 17, 2021).
“Currently, and applicable to Kling, this section applies to 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.”
H. Cao v. PSP of The Com. of PA, No. 512 M.D. 2015 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Oct. 16, 2019).
“Cao argues that the internet notification requirements imposed on him by SORNA II are punitive in nature.”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(b)(2)(i)(B): 4 cases
Com. v. Hagerty, B., No. 2035 EDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 24, 2022).
“See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a)(1)(i)(A), (b)(2)(i)(A).”
H. Cao v. PSP of The Com. of PA, No. 512 M.D. 2015 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Oct. 16, 2019).
“Cao argues that the internet notification requirements imposed on him by SORNA II are punitive in nature.”
V.M. v. PSP, No. 23 M.D. 2024 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Aug. 22, 2025).
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(b)(2)(ii): 2 cases
T. J. v. PSP of the Com. of PA, No. 123 M.D. 2018 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Jan. 9, 2023).
“55 & 9799.56. The Police posit that T.J.’s offense in New York “equated to a lifetime registration requirement in Pennsylvania.”
42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 9799.55(b)(3): 7 cases
Com. v. Zack, J., 262 A.3d 497, 2021 PA Super 164 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2021).
“55 (relating to registration), has not expired”); 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(b)(3) (lifetime registration for SVPs).”
Com. v. Hagerty, B., No. 2035 EDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 24, 2022).
“See 42 Pa.C.S. § 9799.55(a)(1)(i)(A), (b)(2)(i)(A).”
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