Oklahoma City -
The Oklahoma House of Representatives will soon vote to pass a bill that would strengthen sex offender laws in the state -- and supporters say, ban a larger number of rapists from living near schools, daycare's and playgrounds.
House Bill 2437, authored by state Rep. Josh Cockroft, was just approved by the House Judiciary
Committee this week.
It would impose a ban on rapists living near schools, child care centers, playgrounds and parks to include anyone convicted of molesting a child younger than 18.
Currently, state law imposes the ban only if the victim was under age 13.
"A pedophile who rapes a 14- or 15-year-old youth is
just a dangerous as one who targets younger children," said Cockroft,
R-Tecumseh. "Sadly, the abuse often begins at an early age and last for
years. We should not allow a technicality to give pedophiles access to schools
or playgrounds where they can victimize other children."
The legislation was requested by members of the Pottawatomie
County Sheriffs Department, one of the districts Cockroft serves.
If the legislation is approved, it would be illegal for any
registered sex offender who victimized children to live within 500 feet of any
elementary, junior high or high school, permitted or licensed child care
center, playground, or park.
The bill now goes to the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
