kcra.com: CA Board: Overhaul Sex Offender Rules.
Sacramento -- A new report written by some of California's top public safety officials has recommended overhauling the way the state deals with sex offenders. Proposed changes include targeting residency restrictions only to serious child predators and doing away with lifetime registration for some low-risk sex offenders.
The 109-page report was prepared by the California Sex Offender Management Board, which was created in 2006 to advise the governor, Legislature and local officials. Current board members include state Deputy Attorney General Janet Neeley and state Corrections Undersecretary Scott Kernan. The report concludes "that the significant increase in the rate of homelessness among sex offenders and lack of appropriate housing in California is the most serious issue facing the field of sex offender management."
Since Proposition 83, known as Jessica's Law, was approved by voters in 2006, sex offenders have been banned from living within 2,000 feet of schools or parks where children play. Previous legislation known as Megan's Law requires sex offenders to register with local law enforcement agencies and makes that information public.
The recommendations are due to be discussed Tuesday morning at a hearing of the California Senate Public Safety Committee.
The California Sex Offender Management Board has previously urged that the state not adopt the federal Adam Walsh Act.
