Legislation being introduced today in Harrisburg will propose pinning a mandatory sentence of 25 years on first-time sex offenders and throwing second-time offenders in the slammer for life.

The legislation, called "Jessica's Law," targets sex offenders over the age of 18 who assault those under the age of 12. It includes making GPS monitoring mandatory -- meaning offenders will be forced to wear an ankle bracelet to monitor their whereabouts until they die.

"My boss is really serious about preventing these guys from re-offending," said Alexandra Matthews, legal counsel for state Sen. Jane Orie's, R-Allegheny and Butler. Orie asked Matthews to draft most of the legislation, which has been in the works for about six months, she said.

Matthews said the law for first-time sex offenders in Pennsylvania varies depending on the offense. Criminals are usually given 10 years, but there is no current standard. And the punishments don't necessarily become harsher for repeat offenders, she said.

"We have our criminal laws all over the map right now," Matthews said.

Of the more than 7,100 sex offenders registered in Pennsylvania, there are currently 31 registered sex offenders in State College, according to the Pennsylvania State Police.

Orie and Sen. John Rafferty, R-Norristown, will appear at a news conference today in Harrisburg to announce the legislation, which will have to travel through the legislative system to be implemented. Matthews said it was impossible to predict when, if ever, the proposed law would be put into effect.

Rafferty said he thinks the law has a good chance of pushing its way through the system and being implemented in Pennsylvania. He added that the only remedy for combating sex offenders is to adopt more severe sentences.

"I think the penalties are warranted for the crimes committed," Rafferty said about the proposed legislation.

"Jessica's Law," named for 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, who was kidnapped and murdered by a convicted sex offender in Florida, was passed this year in Florida. Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford, will appear with the senators today in Harrisburg.

Besides Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are also considering instituting the legislation.

Matthews said that, if passed, the legislation would be the strongest against sex offenders Pennsylvania has seen. And although she said she has not heard any opposition, she said some people might think the law's penalties are too drastic.

"There probably are people out there somewhere who advocate for certain types of offenders," Matthews said. "I don't feel very empathetic, to be honest."

Rafferty said high-profile cases like Jessica's that get nationwide media coverage have caused community members to become aware of the dangers of repeat offenders.

"You cannot put them back into the community ... that's the bottom line," he said.