Legislature pushing more restrictions, monitoring for sex offenders
by Brian DiTullio

STATE CAPITOL – Several new laws aimed at convicted sex offenders are making their way through the Arizona legislature.

From living restrictions to more intricate monitoring systems, legislators are keen to give law enforcement as much help as possible.

Senate Bill 1555 is making its way through the system right now. The bill would prohibit high‑risk sex offenders–those the state deems a “high risk” for re‑offending after being released from jail–from living within 700 feet of a school.

High‑risk, or Level 3, sex offenders usually have been convicted of more than one crime against multiple victims, according to public safety officials.

“I think it’s a tool to help prevent these types of crimes,” said Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, R‑Chandler, sponsor of the bill.

Although he supports SB 1555,  Sen. Jack Harper, R‑ Surprise, admits he doesn’t think  the 700‑foot buffer zone would really be a deterrent to a person prone to re‑offend, but that it “helps put the public at ease.”

Sen. Jim Waring, R‑Phoenix, said the legislature is trying to do more than just “feel good” legislation, and pointed to House Bill 2723 as an example.

HB 2723, sponsored by Rep. Sam Crump, R‑Anthem, would allow the state to contract a private company to search public records to better track and catch convicted sex offenders trying to thwart the system.

“Mine’s simple and straightforward,” said Crump. “And it’s relatively inexpensive.”

Crump said he would seek federal grant monies to fund his program, if passed. The grant would cover costs for the first few years before the program would be included in the regular budgeting process.

Harper also pointed to HB 2734, which would require sex offenders to register their e‑mail addresses, social‑networking pages and instant messaging names for the state’s online registry.

“They’re important pieces of legislation,” said Harper. “Especially the e‑mail one. It’s easier to track whether or not they’re preying on people on the Internet, which seems to be their preferred method.”

New laws dealing with stricter probation or longer jail terms for convicted sex offenders deemed “high risk” have been considered, said Tibshraeny, but nothing has come forward this session in the form of legislation.

“What are we doing with Level 3s?” asked Tibshraeny. “That’s going to be the subject of some discussion.”

Waring said he would love to revisit sentencing guidelines for sex offenders, but that they were rewritten about 10 years ago. However, some offenders out on parole, especially those convicted of crimes against children, are required to wear Global Positioning Systems (ankle bracelets).

None of the bills discussed have yet reached Gov. Janet Napolitano’s desk for final approval.