Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 21, 1994                   TAG: 9401210233
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

STRONG LAWS ON SEX ABUSE ARE PROPOSED

Beyer's proposals, which will be introduced in the General Assembly this winter, would create a registry of all adults who have been convicted of sexual-abuse felonies in Virginia.

The registry would be kept in local police or clerks of court offices and would be open for public inspection. Beyer said the registry would provide a useful tool for parents and employers to screen out pedophiles in their search for day-care providers, scout troop leaders, tutors and coaches.

"This acknowledges that sexual offenders frequently go back to positions where they can prey on children, and that most sexual offenders are prolific volunteers," he said.

Eighteen states have such registries.

Beyer also backed legislation requiring sex offenders to serve at least two-thirds of their prison sentences before becoming eligible for parole. First-time sex offenders now are eligible for parole after serving one-fourth of their sentences.

Other legislation included:

Mandatory jail sentences for anyone convicted a third time of misdemeanor sexual-abuse charges.

Lengthening the 10-day statute of limitations for reporting marital rape.

Making it illegal for any unlicensed day-care provider to knowingly care for children in a home where a convicted sexual offender lives.

The proposals come from a year-long study by the Virginia Commission on the Reduction of Sexual Assault Victimization. Beyer was chairman of the panel.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994