House Republican Press Release

April 3, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

House Republicans Promote Child Safety, From School Yard to Cyber Space

HARTFORD – Connecticut’s children will have more secure schools and greater protection from predators roaming the streets and cyber space under legislative proposals presented by House Republicans today.

House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., of Norwalk said child safety enhancement is a central feature of the Republican caucus. “Parents rightfully expect society to do everything it can to protect their children from predatory abusers from the moment they get on the school bus in the morning to when they are browsing cyber space at home,’’ Cafero said. “We have the technology to make our kids safer, we just need to act on common sense proposals that we want for our own children.’’

The package of bills would:

· Make schools safer by beefing up security and imposing single entrances for all buildings;

· Double the penalties for crimes committed in designated Child Safety Zones;

· Require school contractors to submit lists of employees for review by local school boards. Currently only teachers and janitors are covered;

· Post the “docket’’ of people convicted for sexual offences and make it available via the Internet and require updated compliance with offenders’ addresses and photos;

· Expand the state’s Child Identity System, including giving parents more opportunities to provide local law enforcement agencies critical information about their children;

· Work with Internet providers and other private sector companies to make the web more secure for young people.

Cafero said other states go much further than Connecticut when it comes to having updated Internet information on convicted abusers, for example. “That’s something that can make a big difference that doesn’t come with a big price tag,’’ he said. “Creating safety or buffer zones around schools and playgrounds makes sense because that is where kids congregate and where predators typically lurk.’’

Cafero said all schools should have secured entries that will give parents peace of mind. “Parents want to know that people who don’t belong in school are not allowed and this would add an extra level of protection and monitoring,’’ Cafero said.