Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 15, 1994 TAG: 9404160005
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The registry will allow schools, day-care centers and residential facilities for children to screen potential employees for sex crimes "to keep such offenders away from our children," Beyer said Thursday night, speaking to the Child Abuse Prevention Council in Roanoke.
But the law, scheduled to take effect July 1, will have limited applications. The registry will be kept by the State Police, and only schools and day-care centers will be allowed to make inquiries.
Beyer had wanted to open the list to anyone who might want to check potential baby sitters, tutors or scout leaders. But concerns about privacy and possible misuse of the list led lawmakers to restrict its access.
Still, Beyer said the law could be amended in the future. "I think we have to have some real-life experience with it," he said. "If we find it has some major holes in it, then I'll be able to use that in making an argument that we should expand it."
Virginia is the 20th state to create such a list, but Beyer said the registry will be more comprehensive than those in other states.
Under the law, adults convicted of serious sex crimes and juveniles convicted as adults will be required to register with the State Police when they are released from custody. Failure to register will be a misdemeanor, punishible by up to 12 months in jail.
The registry is just one of the new laws proposed by the Virginia Commission on Sexual Assault, of which Beyer is chairman.
"Almost more important than any of the specific things, we've seen a great change in attitude," Beyer told the Roanoke group. "Everyone wants to help."
Other legislation Beyer's commission has sponsored this year includes:
A sexual offender "three-time loser" law that elevates a third conviction of certain misdemeanor sex offenses to a felony - punishable by up to five years in prison. Offenses include sexual battery, attempted sexual battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and indecent exposure.
A law that eliminates a 10-day reporting requirement for marital rape or sexual assault by a spouse, the only sexual assault charge to include such a statute of limitations.
A law that makes it a misdemeanor to operate a family day-care home knowing that a resident of the home has been convicted of certain felony sex offenses.
A law requiring that nonlicensed professionals providing treatment to sex offenders be certified by the state Board of Health Professions.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB