Legislation that would move certain sex offenders a further 700 feet away from schools has passed both chambers of the General Assembly. The measure now heads to the governor’s office.
The House …
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Legislation that would move certain sex offenders a further 700 feet away from schools has passed both chambers of the General Assembly. The measure now heads to the governor’s office.
The House bill (2015-H 6025), sponsored by House Health, Education and Welfare Committee Chairman Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston), and the Senate version (2015-S 754A) sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick) prohibits any Level 3 sex offender from residing within 1,000 feet from a school.
“There’s no good reason for Level 3 sex offenders to be living only 100 yards away from a school,” said McNamara. “Think of how long a football field is. If the intent of the law is to keep them away from the areas where children congregate, then 100 yards is just too close.”
Any Level 3 offender who is required to register his or her address and resides within the 1,000-foot radius would be guilty of a felony, punishable by a $5,000 fine or five years imprisonment.
McCaffrey added, “By pushing the distance back to 1,000 feet, then not only are we ensuring that Level 3 sex offenders are not living next to the school, we’re now ensuring that they are not living anywhere in the vicinity of the school.”
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Justanidiot
They can work in the schools, they just can't live near them.
Thursday, June 25, 2015 Report this
RIposter
That law doesn't fix the ones grandfathered in from before the first law passed. We have a level III offender whose property is right next to Lippitt School.
Thursday, June 25, 2015 Report this
oncefallendotcom
This law was not passed as the result of evidence (which proves residency laws don't work and actually INCREASE reoffense); this law is political pandering at its worst.
Truth about residency laws at oncefallen.
Thursday, June 25, 2015 Report this