Wednesday, May 16, 2007
from the Kennebec Journal
Sport of Kings
New Medicaid billing system inspires doubts among some
Christmas spirit
Guidance counselor: Dismiss complaint based on criticism of same-sex marriage
CHELSEA: 'Practice burn' provides thrill for 9-year-old
Trust eyes orchard purchase
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Bonenfant rises up Cony ranks
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
YES ON 1 BACKER REBUTS CLAIM
New system for Medicaid payments worries providers
After petition drive, Clinton police force budget will go a third time before voters
A rock musician makes trip home via Black Taxi
MADISON: After revaluation, abatement requests reviewed
Parks to have facelift
GOLFER OF THE YEAR: Sweet does job for Madison
YOUTH SOCCER: Local team gives 'care package' to children in Afghanistan
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
The Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee killed several sex offender registry bills with the intention of revisiting the issue next year after a commission has time to further study the issue.
The mapping bill, sponsored by Rep. Kim Silsby, D-Augusta, would have required the state to post a map online showing where convicted sex offenders live. But a similar requirement might be part of a federal law, so the committee voted unanimously to kill the bill.
Silsby said while she's disappointed with the committee decision, she's hopeful a map will be included in future legislation.
"I think it's real important it's as user-friendly as possible," she said. "It's really a significant issue for Augusta. We need to make sure we're protecting our citizens, and in particular, our children."
The committee discussed 11 bills related to the state's sex offender registry and killed nearly all of them. But because states are waiting for federal regulations to be released, the committee asked the Criminal Law Advisory Commission to work on the issue over the summer.
The commission, which is a group that advises the Legislature on criminal law matters, will take the federal law, compare it to state law, and report back to the Legislature in the fall. That means the earliest any changes could come up for a vote would be next year.
Specifically, some members of the criminal justice committee proposed putting in place a three-tiered system for sex offenders, with low-risk offenders being required to report only to police rather than being part of the public Web site. High-risk offenders would be on the registry for a lifetime and would have their pictures posted on the publicly available Web site. The lawmakers are asking the advisory commission to help them decide which types of offenses would be in each tier. And they are asking the state Department of Corrections to examine how to assess the risk sex offenders pose when they are released back into the community.
One other consideration is the possible loss of federal money if the state does not substantially comply with the federal law.
"This is not an easy task," said Rep. Richard Sykes, R-Harrison. "It's extremely complicated."
Susan Cover -- 623-1056
scover@centralmaine.com

Reader comments
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Do we need a map to where they live- no I don't think that is needed. If someone wants to find them, they will.
I do think the registry is necessary to protect our children and grandchildren.
They're repeat offenders, first time offenders that will molest again-that is a sicko!
Some comments on here to sound rather personal in defense of the preditors---something smells fishy on that note.
report abuse
next to you because parent need to
know where these sicko livereport abuse
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