La Suer and Runner Introduce AB 231

Assemblyman Jay La Suer (R-La Mesa) and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) have jointly introduced, with Runner being the lead author, Assembly Bill 231 which is a comprehensive bill to protect our children from those who prey upon their innocence.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is the sponsor of the legislation, which is the Sexual Predator Punishment and Control Act: Jessica’s Law.AB 231 would require GPS tracking of sex offenders for life, create a pedophile-free zone that prohibits convicted sex offenders from living within 2000 feet of any school or park, expands the time of commitment to sexually violent predator programs, toughens the one-strike-you’re out for sex offenders, protects children from Internet luring, makes possession of child pornography a felony, and eliminates “good time” credits for repeat sex offenders.

California is the home of approximately 65,000 sex offenders, 1,826 of which are “high risk” offenders. The use of GPS for parolee tracking provides a level of surveillance not available by any other means. GPS’ ability to locate an offender 24 hours a day makes it an invaluable tool for parole agents. This is an important part of Assembly Bill 231.

“Sexual predators have quickly discovered using the Internet can get you closer than ever to our children,” said La Suer. “Child molesters no longer need to loiter around schools and parks in order to contact children. They come into our homes without our knowledge and begin to lure our unsuspecting children away by pretending to be someone they are not.”

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys are molested before the age of 18. The average pedophile molests between 30-60 children before he/she is arrested the first time and averages 360 children in his/her lifetime. Ninety percent of pedophiles who molest children have had some type of involvement with pornography.

“It’s time for the legislature to step up to the plate and once again make California a safe place to raise our families.” Governor Schwarzenegger has promised to sign the bill into law.