LA: Sex offenders to face tougher registration penalties

WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – Thursday, Governor Bobby Jindal signed bill HB 638 into law. It toughens the laws for sex offenders and child predators who fail to register with the state. Governor Jindal said, “In Louisiana, we need to protect our children and citizens from offenders of the most lewd and vile crimes. This law makes it a criminal offense and will require jail time for convicted offenders who provide false information and who fail to register with the state in the time frame required by law. Hopefully, these offenders…

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NH: State’s sex-offender registry overreaches (Editorial)

The N.H. Supreme Court is pondering the fate of a man convicted, several decades ago, of sexually assaulting his teenage stepdaughter. The man has served out his prison sentence, undergone years of counseling and been deemed “rehabilitated” by the court. Now in his 60s, he is disabled. None of which would be fodder for the state’s highest court, except that since he was released from prison in 1990, the state has repeatedly enacted laws calling for those convicted of sexual assault against children to register with the police, so a…

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WA: Wanted sex offender lists false address to shock of family in that home

VANCOUVER, WA (KPTV) – Deputies are searching for a convicted child molester in Clark County, and investigators know ____ ____ isn’t at the address he gave to them. Upon his recent release from jail on drug charges, _____, 38, listed his address as a home in Vancouver. That was a huge shock to the family who actually lives there, since they have no idea who he is. Full Article

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Fullerton City Council Revises Sex Offender Ordinance

The Fullerton City Council voted 4 to 1 to revise its sex offender ordinance by removing all presence restrictions.  The vote took place on May 21 and a second vote is required to finalize the Council’s decision. “The City of Fullerton is to be commended for its decision to remove presence restrictions from its ordinance,” stated CA RSOL President Janice Bellucci.  “After the revisions become effective, registered citizens will be free to visit parks and other recreational areas within the city without the fear of arrest.” Fullerton is 1 of…

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Of sex trafficking and International Megan’s Law and cabbages and kings

A piece of legislation called International Megan’s Law—HR 4573—passed the U.S. House of Representatives, according to this article, June 20. The bill’s sponsor, U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, has been pushing this bill, in various forms, for years. It is aimed at sex trafficking in general and will largely affect American registrants traveling out of the country, but named after Megan Kanka, a seven year old child who was murdered twenty years ago, and touted as “…the model needed for the U.S. to persuade other countries to take action to stop both…

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International Megan’s Law passes House of Representatives

WASHINGTON — The United States House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday aimed at protecting children from roving convicted sexual predators who travel abroad. The International Megan’s Law, H.R. 4573, which was authored by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4), establishes a model framework for international law enforcement notifications when convicted child-sex offenders who pose a danger to children arrive in a destination country. Full Article H.R. 4573

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Living with 290: Is There a Silver Lining Somewhere?

In 2000 I was convicted of one count of 311.4, a misdemeanor, but lifetime on the registry, nevertheless. This transgression resonated from a relationship with a girlfriend who was six-months away from her 18th birthday, and me being three-months into my 21st year. Before all of this, the relationship lasted three years, and the victim’s parents approved – that is, until an altercation erupted that led me to impulsively strike her. This miscalculation of emotion invariably caused the Tustin Police Department to introduce a domestic violence investigation into the significance…

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US Sex Offender Registration Laws

How to Stay Compliant by Meeting State Registration Requirements Registered citizens must meet registration requirements in the states they visit as well the states in which they reside. State visitor requirements vary widely from 48 hours in Florida to 10 days in Hawaii. These requirements apply regardless of whether the visit is a vacation, business trip or school-related activity. “It is essential for registered citizens to remain compliant when they visit another state,” said CA RSOL President Janice Bellucci. “In order to remain compliant, registered citizens must know the requirements…

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TX: Under trafficking law, sex with minor can mean life in prison

____ ____ was a 43-year-old prison guard who met a young girl online and had a sexual relationship with the 14-year-old for about a year. A few years ago, such a crime would’ve put him behind bars for two to 20 years for sexual assault of a child. But a Hays County jury this week gave ____, now 45, life in prison without the possibility of parole, under a relatively new trafficking law targeting people who transport young victims for sexual purposes. Full Article

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Orange County Upcoming Parks Ban Repeal Hearings

Huntington Beach (May 19, 2014) Consideration is requested whether to repeal Ordinance No. 3926 prohibiting registered sex offenders from entering City parks due to a Court of Appeal decision invalidating an identical ordinance. Meeting Agenda Summary of Parks Restrictions in Orange County as of 4/29/2014 Fullerton (May 20, 2014) At the May 6, 2014 meeting, the City Council directed staff to receive and analyze recommendations from a Fullerton citizen. Staff and the City Attorney have been in communication and received recommendations from this citizen. After reviewing the recommendations, it is…

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