(NBC15) Police could alert neighbors if a juvenile sex offender lives nearby under a new bill being considered by state lawmakers.
Currently, a sex offender registry lists adults is available online. A separate list, no available to the public, exists for juveniles.
Now, police can notify a community when an adult offender moves in. A new bill gives police the option to do the same with juvenile offenders.
Representative Joe Parisi explains, "What this bill is saying and what I believe is that sex offenses do need to be looked at differently. Even if you're dealing with juveniles because people do need to know if a sex violent and dangerous person is moving in next door to them, even if person is 16 years old.
Legislators heard testimony Wednesday from victims of juvenile sex offenders. Supporters say the law could prevent convicted sex offenders from finding other, unsuspecting victims.
