A bill limiting the release of convicted sex offenders, authored by State Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, is headed to the governor’s desk for final approval before becoming law.

Senate Bill 1199 would require, when reasonably possible, a family or community connection before paroling a sex offender into a community.

Once a sex offender is put on parole, current law places them back in the county they were previously living in.

Under the bill, they will be sent back to the last town or city they lived in before they were convicted.

Wilk said he hopes having support from family or friends will help the felons get back on the right path.

While sex offenders are not required to continue living in the area where they are released from custody, Wilk said in a statement that it is best for them to have family and community ties rather than being placed in unknown areas grouped with other sex offenders.

“SB 1199 will keep our communities safer and provide the newly paroled offender with the best possible chance of not re-offending,” Wilk said. “I am pleased to see this legislation clear its final hurdle and look forward to working with the governor on this important matter.”

The bill also takes the availability of reentry services when determining where former inmates are placed. This bill would not apply in cases where placement would violate any other law or pose a risk to any of the offender’s victims.

Jessica’s Law prohibits sex offender parolees released from prison on or after Nov. 8, 2006 from residing within 2,000 feet of any school and park where children congregate.

According to statistics cited by Wilk’s office, offenders are disproportionately clustered in areas with more compliant and cheaper housing.

“People living in rural and affordable areas of California, like the Victor and Antelope valleys should not bear the brunt of rehousing and rehabilitating California’s sex offenders,” Wilk said. “Unfortunately many of the laws put in place to protect citizens from predators have had the unintended consequence of putting rural communities at a higher risk. This is not only dangerous for these communities, but it puts a tremendous strain on the availability of the services and supervision needed for the parolee to successfully rehabilitate.”

Gov. Jerry Brown has 12 days to sign, approve without signing, or veto the bill.

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