(SACRAMENTO) — To start the New Year, the Senate Public Safety Committee in a matter of two hours killed 6 sex offender bills that would have strengthened California’s current law, including rejecting Jessica’s Law.  “Unfortunately, today, we add six more sex offender bills to the dozens of bills sent to the Public Safety Graveyard.  These bills would simply add needed protection for our children but instead, again, the Legislature does nothing,” said Senator Runner. 

Senate Bill 588, known as Jessica’s Law, is the most comprehensive sex offender punishment and control legislation introduced in California.  It includes penalty enhancements, monitoring sex offenders on GPS, cracking down on child pornography and Internet predators, strengthening California’s Sexually Violent Predator program, ensuring that child molesters do not live near schools, and much more. There were four bills heard in committee that would have increased the use of GPS, and all six bills would increase children’s safety from sex offenders. Runner continued, “The Senate Democrats have announced the introduction of their own legislation but the proposal has no teeth as it is only states what the Legislature intends to do. Jessica’s Law was introduced five and half months ago and so far the most serious attempt to compromise with us was to introduce intent language yesterday.”

“If they are serious, then they need substantial reforms in their legislation and get the bill down to the Governor’s office immediately.”