May 21, 2009

Governor Riley Approves Two New Laws that Strengthen Efforts Against Sex Offenders

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley announced Thursday he has signed two new laws that are designed to protect the public from sex offenders.

One new law ensures that adults can be prosecuted for using computers to solicit children for sex, even if the person they are communicating with is not a child but a law enforcement officer posing as a child as part of a sting operation.

The need for the new law became clear after police in Gulf Shores arrested 23 suspects who were communicating online to arrange meetings with what they thought were children. Some of the cases were difficult to prosecute under state law because they were actually communicating with other adults.

The bill was sponsored by Representative Steve McMillan and Senator Myron Penn.

The second new law requires local law enforcement agencies to verify the physical address where an adult criminal sex offender intends to reside upon release from prison. The new law also prohibits sex offenders who don’t provide a proper physical address from early release.

According to the Alabama Sentencing Commission, 18 adult sex offenders were convicted for not providing their addresses before their release from prison between fiscal years 2005 and 2007.

Representative Blaine Galliher and Senator Myron Penn sponsored the bill in the Legislature.

“Both of these new laws will help make our families and communities safer. I commend the sponsors and legislators for taking action to give our law enforcement officers stronger tools to fight sex offenders,” said Governor Riley.