Sex offender regulations tightened


Raleigh – State representatives unanimously approved a bill Tuesday that tightens regulations for sex offenders.

The legislation is just one proposal that came as a result of work done by the House Select Committee on Sex Offender Registration Laws which was appointed by House Speaker Jim Black earlier this year.

The committee designated to analyze and strengthen sex offender laws was chaired by Rep. Bruce Goforth (D-Buncombe) and Rep. Karen Ray (R-Iredell). The committee worked closely with the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association, the Department of Justice, the Attorney General’s office and local sheriff’s departments to craft the legislation.

“This bill will provide greater protection for our children and our communities from sexual predators and offenders,” said Rep. Michael H. Wray.

The legislation would require that sex offenders register in person to the sheriff of the county, give annual verification of address and notification of changes in address. Further, if a convicted sex offender works or attends school in another county, they must also register with that second county’s sheriff.

The bill adds to the list of offenses that require sex offender registration by including statutory rape of a person who is 13, 14 or 15 years old by a person who is at least six years older than the victim.

Perhaps the most significant change in sex offender laws is a provision that prohibits convicted sex offenders from living less than 1,000 feet from schools, playgrounds, daycare centers, and public pools.

Prior to passage of this bill, the House had already begun working on strengthening sex offender laws by including in the House budget $1.5 million to upgrade the state’s sex offender registry, implement a global positioning system to monitor the most serious convicted sex offenders, and to establish an email notification program so citizens can be notified when a registered sex offender moves into their neighborhood.

In a statement released by State Attorney General Roy Cooper he said that he supports the legislation.

“Tougher laws like this one along with more tools for law enforcement and better information for parents can help us protect our children from predators who seek to harm them,” Cooper said. “I’ll continue to work with legislators on new and innovative ways to keep North Carolina safe.”