Calls for reform in the state's parole system continue with state Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, announcing legislative plans in the aftermath of allegations that a parolee killed a boy over the summer.

Keith Burley Jr., 43, of Edinburg, Lawrence County, is accused of repeatedly stabbing his girlfriend's 8-year-old son, while apparently telling the boy to “die” on July 8, according to authorities.

Police said Burley was released on parole on March 28 after serving a lengthy stint in state prison for a 1999 homicide in New Castle.

Bernstine announced his plans to introduce a bill known as Markie's Law next week at a joint news conference Thursday with Lawrence County District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa.

The legislation is named for Mark Mason, the young New Castle victim.

The New Castle News reported Thursday that Bernstine and Lamancusa called for change, detailing holes in the system between the state Department of Corrections and the state parole board.

In August, Burley's case, along with those of several other parolees involved in crimes, led law enforcement, prosecutors and the state's prison guards to call for a full review of parole practices.

State Secretary of Corrections John Wetzel said at the time his agency would review parolees' history in prison and under parole supervision in an effort to determine if something should have been done differently.

The bill aims to increase minimum prison sentences by two years for each additional violent offense conviction an inmate gets while incarcerated.

A third year would be added if an inmate attempted to escape prison, smuggle contraband or retaliate against witnesses.

Burley's arrest caught the attention of the state corrections officers' union and county prosecutors, who questioned why someone with a violent history had been paroled.

In the ensuing days, four other parolees were charged in slayings, most with connections to domestic violence.

Bernstine said he was inspired to take up the legislation after learning that Burley assaulted another prisoner while serving his 1999 homicide conviction, leading to charges of aggravated assault and assault by a prisoner.

In a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections report released after the alleged murder, Burley was cited often for fighting and assault, and received 17 misconducts during the first 13 years he was in prison. But in the last seven years of his prison stay, Burley had a clean record with no reported misconducts, according to the report.

The report noted Burley completed therapeutic and violence prevention courses, as well as earning his GED.

The parole board commended his positive behavior when they granted his release, allowing him to live with his mother. During the first three months of his parole, Burley didn't test positive for drugs or alcohol, held a full-time job and purchased a car.

During this time, Burley was under maximum supervision and received eight visits from his parole officer. According to the report, Burley's son died in May.

In the murder of the 8-year-old boy, Burley is charged with homicide, two counts each of aggravated assault, kidnapping and unlawful restraint, three counts of terroristic threats, one count of simple assault and four counts of reckless endangerment. He is in Lawrence County Jail awaiting a formal arraignment in October.