Federal Sex Offender law to protect kids

On September 14, 2005 the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill (by a 371-52 decision) toughening the federal response to sex offenders in our nation.  The Child Safety Act of 2005 now moves to the Senate for action.   This bill is prompted by the dreadful events that occurred when one violent sexual predator fled his home in Georgia without anyone’s knowledge.  Convicted sexual predator, John Couey, relocated to Florida and viciously harmed and killed nine-year old Jessica Lunsford 150 yards from her home.  Tragically, this type of violent act occurs all too often in our nation.

The Children’s Safety Act was proposed in memory of this young victim and her family.  This bill aims to strengthen the existing laws which require states to implement a sex offender registry to keep track of known sexual predators.  The courts define a sexual predator as an individual who is likely to recommit a sex crime once they are released from prison.  Some judges have refused to keep these sex offenders in jail permanently.  This means that sexual predators are released back into society to live and work in our communities. 

Thus far, the Federal response to sex offenders has been Megan’s Law.  This federal law, also in memory of a young victim, requires states to create a notification system which lists a sex offender’s information upon release from prison.  Currently, there is no uniformity among state registries and no requirement that a state must notify other states when a sexual predator moves.  Right now, nearly 100,000 sexual predators are freely moving around our nation unmonitored.  After the tragic events of Hurricane Katrina, even more sexual predators are in violation of registry requirements. 

The Children’s Safety Act is an attempt to remedy this horrific truth.  If this bill becomes a law, both felony and misdemeanor sex offenders will be required to register as sexual predators.  The bill also requires sex offenders to register before being released from prison and again twice a year for a designated period of time.  Felony sex offenders will be required to register for life.  The information provided will be expanded to include the offender’s name, home address, vehicle information, and a photo.  This information will appear on a national registry website, a vital resource not currently available to concerned citizens and law enforcement.  Should an offender violate these requirements, he will face up to 20 additional years in prison. 

The Children’s Safety Act will require that states and local jurisdictions notify the federal government and other states when a known sex offender relocates.  Increased reporting requirements and tightened supervision are intended to keep America’s children safer.  The bill also increases the penalties for offenders convicted of sexual and violent crimes against children.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, supports this bill by saying, “The Children’s Safety Act gives local law enforcement and parents the information they need to protect their children.  Our children are the most vulnerable in our society, and we must do everything we can to shield them from danger.”