State Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) says she has received a lot of support for a proposed bill she will introduce next week, which would toughen laws for convicted child molestors. Orie wants to draft legislation that would deny bail for anyone convicted of a sex crime against a minor, while they are awaiting sentencing.

The proposed bill is in response to the recent case of former police officer Michael Fernsler.

Fernsler pleaded guilty to molesting twin 4-year-old girls in August.  He was released on bail pending sentencing.  The day before his scheduled court appearance, police say he tried to rape a 14-year-old Lebanon County girl.

Prosecutors had asked that Fernsler's bail be increased, after he was seen watching children at a local swimming pool.  Dauphin County Judge Todd Hoover denied that request. Hoover is not commenting, saying the case is ongoing.

Orie says the law needs to be tougher, or sex offenders will be drawn to Pennsylvania.  "They migrate from state to state, and when they see a state is easy to deal with.. this would be a playground for somebody like that," Orie said.  "They could commit a crime, not be put in jail right away, then leave the state.. so they are a danger."