Governor McCrory Takes Action to Protect North Carolina Families

Governor Pat McCrory was joined by law enforcement, elected officials, advocates and the family of Jessica Lunsford today at the Gastonia Police Department as he signed legislation to help protect North Carolina families. House Bill 1021 was named in honor of Jessica Lunsford, a nine-year-old girl who grew up in Gastonia and was kidnapped and killed by a convicted sex offender, shortly after she and her family moved to Florida.

"We are here today because Jessica's life has continued to inspire action around the country and in our state," Governor McCrory said. "I am proud to take action to protect North Carolina families with this legislation."

This bill clarifies that certain sex offenders are prohibited from visiting any place where children frequently congregate including, libraries, arcades, amusement parks, recreation areas and swimming pools. The bill also prohibits certain sex offenders from being on the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh when the State Fair is being held.

These rules apply only to offenders whose victims were under the age of 18 and to offenders that have been found by a court to present or possibly present a danger to minors under the age of 18.

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