House Republican Press Release

May 25, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

HOUSE PASSES MEASURE TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS, PROTECT PUBLIC FROM DANGEROUS OFFENDERS

Legislation Crafted By Rep. O’Neill Would Help Prohibit Sex Offenders From Residing Near Schools, Day Care Centers

HARTFORD – On Thursday, May 24, the House of Representatives approved legislation better protect the public from people convicted of sexual offenses. One component of the legislation that Rep. Arthur J. O’Neill, R-Southbury, who serves as Ranking Member (House Republican Leader) of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, helped to craft would establish a system to prohibit certain sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of schools or day care centers. House Bill 7085 now moves to the State Senate.

HB 7085 would specifically empower the state’s Risk Assessment Board to determine which offenders should be prohibited from residing near schools and day care centers. It also includes measures that would eliminate the 20-year statute of limitations for first-degree sexual assault, aggravated first-degree sexual assault, sexual assault in a spousal or cohabiting relationship, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree sexual assault.

“The provision that would prevent sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of a school or day care center is something that House Republicans have been advocating for since the beginning of this legislation session,” said Rep. O’Neill. “While it’s not everything we had asked for originally, it is an important step toward better protecting Connecticut’s children and easing the minds of parents when they drop their children off at schools and daycare centers.”

In addition, the legislation would require registered sex offenders to register their Internet communication information, including all email & instant message addresses with the state Department of Public Safety (DPS). Under certain circumstances, DPS would be permitted to release this information. Also, it would make misrepresenting a person’s age to entice a minor a class C felony with penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.