Strengthening Communities For Our Children

Strengthening Communities For Our Children
September 19, 2005

Washington, D.C. - Five years ago, when I was first elected to the Ohio General Assembly I learned too quickly the inadequacy of our laws, both state and federal, in protecting our children against sexual predators. As a member of the Ohio legislature I fought to strengthen Ohio's laws to protect our children and I promised to do the same in Congress. I am happy to report that I voted for the Children's Safety Act of 2005 this week.

This bill is in response to the horrific events that occurred last spring in Florida when John Couey brutally harmed and killed Jessica Lunsford. Unfortunately this violent act occurs all too often in our country. Sexual predators are identified by our courts as individuals who are likely to recommit the crime once they are released from prison. Some judges refuse to keep these criminal permanently behind bars. This bill is one more step we have taken to help secure our children from these sexual predators.

The Federal Government has previously responded to this dilemma by enacting Megan's Law, which requires states to create a notification program when sexual offenders have served their sentence. Unfortunately there is no uniformity in notification among the fifty states and no requirement for states to notify other states when they are alerted that a predator has moved.

Today nearly 100,000 sexual offenders remain unregistered and are moving freely around our country. The risk that these offenders may strike is real. Jessica Lunsford died because her murderer left Georgia without anyone's knowledge. Her mother and father now share a pain that will never go away.

The Children's Safety Act of 2005 is a common sense plan that goes a long way toward increasing safety and security of America's children. I addressed my colleagues on the House Floor to urge them to vote for this important child protection legislation. The bipartisan bill passed the House by an overwhelming margin. It is now awaiting action in the Senate.

First, the bill will expand the coverage of sex offenders by broadening the category to include any felony sex offenses and misdemeanor sex offenders.

Second, this legislation will increase the reporting requirements and tighten supervision for known offender. The bill requires offenders to register prior to release from prison, and requires a sex offender to register/update their registry in person at an office designated by the state twice a year. It also increases the time period sex offenders must register. For example, felony sex offenders must register for life.

Finally, the bill increases the penalties for those convicted of sexual and violent crimes against minors.

This bill is an important measure to help strengthen existing laws. We know the power of laws like the Amber Alert and Megan's Law in protecting our children from harm. Combined with pre-existing laws, these new statues will give residents and local police as much information as possible about offenders who move into our communities. These important provisions will also strengthen law enforcement's ability to find missing children before any harm can come to them.

The Children's Safety Act of 2005 is another powerful tool Congress has adopted to protect our children from these evil offenders. I hope the Senate addresses this issue quickly. Our children's safety must come first. I am committed to continue working with my colleagues in Congress to make our neighborhoods safer for America's families.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh02_schmidt/forourchildren.html