Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

June 11, 2026

Bill Aims to Protect Kids from Online Predators

I remember the news stories very well. It was 2002 and shortly after celebrating the New Year’s holiday, much of the national news stories focused on Alicia “Kozak” Kozakiewicz, a Pittsburgh-area girl who was abducted at the age of 13 by a man she met online.

Her story is why I joined in the unanimous House support of legislation known as Alicia’s Law. It creates a state grant program to help law enforcement find, investigate and prosecute internet predators who target children.

Alicia’s terrifying story begins with being groomed by a person named “Christine,” whom she met online. After more than a year of chatting over the internet, “Christine” turned out to be 31-year-old man, who eventually introduced her to Scott Tyree.

On New Year’s Day, Tyree coerced Alicia into his vehicle and transported her to his Virginia home, where she was held captive for four days and was raped and tortured. Much of it was broadcast online. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received a tip about Alicia and soon rescued her.

House Bill 1098 would establish the Investigation and Prosecution of Internet Crimes Against Children Program within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).

The program would create a state-level funding structure to fund law enforcement task forces made up of state and local prosecutors dedicated to investigating and prosecuting online crimes against minors; supplement federal funding for task forces combating child sexual exploitation online; and train task force members on the latest techniques for detecting, investigating and prosecuting these crimes.

These state task forces would work alongside the existing federal Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program, which funds 61 task forces nationally. Currently, Pennsylvania has just one federally funded ICAC task force. Alicia’s Law creates the infrastructure to expand that capacity.

Alicia’s story was one of the first documented cases of its kind in the country. After her rescue, she began counseling to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and significant memory loss. She has stated that much of her life prior to her abduction is difficult to recall. 

Alicia advocates tirelessly for stronger protections and better internet education so other children don’t go through what she did. Her work has been acknowledged by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and she has participated in training sessions at the FBI National Academy.

Legislation similar to House Bill 1098 was adopted in 12 other states. In 2018, it was reported that Alicia's Law had assisted in the arrest of over 1,000 online predators in Wisconsin alone. 

Having passed in the House, the bill is now pending consideration in the Senate.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Mark Your Calendars for a Telephone Town Hall – Please be sure to join me for a telephone townhall on Monday, June 15, from 4-5 p.m. to discuss all things energy, as well as data centers. We are also likely to delve into other topics, such as Pennsylvania’s budget. Automated calls will be made minutes before the event, but you also may call in directly at 877-229-8493 and use ID code 122184.

511PA Available to Help Travelers Heading to Major PA Events - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is encouraging drivers traveling to FIFA World Cup 26 matches, FIFA Fan Festival, Major League Baseball All-Star Week or America250PA events in Philadelphia to plan their trip using the enhanced real-time travel information available on a specialized webpage at 511PA.com/PhillyEvents. 

The new webpage includes links to traffic maps, along with other helpful links and travel tips for getting to each event. Traffic maps include the average travel time for primary routes to each event. Users can see real-time incidents, construction, traffic cameras, traffic speeds and message board displays on the maps. The maps also include real-time SEPTA information, including status and next departure times.

Travelers using the “My Routes” option will also have access to a list of special points of interest when choosing their starting point or destination, making it easier than ever to find the best route to or from the events.

2026-27 Hunting Licenses Available Soon - The first day to purchase your 2026-27 Pennsylvania hunting and trapping licenses, as well as resident antlerless licenses for all Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), is Monday, June 22.

Like last year, all resident hunters are guaranteed an antlerless license in any WMU in the first round, as long as they are purchased prior to July 13. There is no need for hunters to wait in line, as you’ll have 21 days to get your guaranteed antlerless license. 

One antlerless deer license per hunter can be purchased per round in the first three rounds. For more information and to purchase a license online, visit huntfish.pa.gov. 



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com