Lawmaker agrees on changing molester laws

In a recent letter to the editor (DP-May 2) titled “Listing should tell more about offender’s location,” the author is expressing a shared frustration and fear that more needs to be done in West Virginia before we share a family’s heartbreak like residents of Florida are sharing with the parents of Jessica Lunsford. This innocent child was molested and killed by a known sex offender who lived across the street from her.
Your letter writer and others have called me about their concerns and to offer suggestions about how West Virginia could improve its role in protecting our children. She recommended an additional tool for parents. West Virginia does not publish addresses of sex offenders on our sex offender registry, making it difficult to ascertain if a danger lives near your child. Some other states allow offenders addresses tobe published. The Legislature would need to pass legislation to allow this change.
The Florida Legislature is increasing length of sentencing. Some states require Global Positioning Satellite tracking devices to be worn by the offender after release from prison. These devices may be required to be worn by the offender for life, because it is suggested that it is unlikely that they can be reformed, and tend to repeat offenses when they have failed to properly register for an offender registry database.
Although I am hoping to introduce legislation during the next legislative session, I had to inform this concerned letter writer that the session begins next year. We can not pass laws between now and then unless a special session call by the governor or rare call by the Legislature includes the specific legislation.
I don’t believe the Legislature passed any resolutions this year to study this problem, but I will be requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to consider planning a study of this issue during this year’s interims, in order to advance the issue.
Often a crisis is required before the Legislature takes action. No more children should lose their innocence or their lives in order to spur action.