Boswell to Offer Amendment to Boost Funding for Tracking Sex Offenders

Boswell to Offer Amendment to Boost Funding for Tracking Sex Offenders

Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell will offer an amendment to the Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations bill, H. R. 5672, which increases funding for the Criminal Records Upgrade Program by $1.5 million. The Criminal Records Upgrade Program ensures accurate records are available to law enforcement, including sex offender registry requirements. The program helps states build their infrastructure to connect to national record check systems and is a critical component in law enforcement's ability to track sex offenders. The House will begin debate on H.R. 5672 later today.

"Ensuring our law enforcement community has access to up-to-date information, as well as the ability to provide information in an effective manner to other law enforcement agencies, is critical to keeping our kids and communities safe," said Boswell.

Earlier this year, Boswell introduced the Cops for Kids Act, H.R. 4828, a bill that will help local law enforcement agencies track offenders. The bill would authorize $250 million in matching grants to state and local governments over the next five years. Grants would be used for hiring personnel, in addition to purchasing equipment and training.

"Protecting our public from sex offenders is not just a local issue, nor is it just a federal issue, and it is certainly not a Democratic or Republican issue—it is an American issue," said Boswell. "We must all work together to ensure our communities are safe from sex offenders and violent predators."

http://boswell.house.gov/article.asp?id=491