Pennsylvania Plans Bill to Block Sex Offenders Using Surrogacy

Pennsylvania lawmakers are moving to close a legal loophole that currently allows registered sex offenders to become parents through surrogacy, a situation that has sparked public outrage after a viral video showed a sex offender celebrating his son's first birthday. Representative Aaron Bernstine, a Republican, is introducing legislation that would prohibit sex offenders from gaining parental rights via surrogacy and require mandatory background checks and child abuse clearances for all intended parents before issuing pre-birth parentage orders. This bill has bipartisan support, with Democrats and Republicans alike emphasizing child protection over political considerations. The case that brought attention to the loophole involves Brandon Keith Mitchell, a registered Tier 1 sex offender convicted of sexual abuse of a minor and possession of child pornography, who legally became a parent through a surrogate. His legal representatives state he has complied with the law and been transparent throughout the surrogacy process, but lawmakers argue that the safeguards in place for adoption should extend to surrogacy to prevent predators from gaining parental rights. While the legislation aims to protect children, sources suggest Mitchell is unlikely to be forced to relinquish custody of his child.