Morning Sentinel
Online map bill is killed
By SUSAN M. COVER
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Wednesday, May 16, 2007

AUGUSTA -- A bill to require a map on the sex offender registry died in committee Tuesday, but it could come back as part of federal law.

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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papasmurf of skowhegan, ME
May 16, 2007 8:04 AM
A map, did I read that right? a map! who is the stupid one that had that idea?
isn't it enough they want to tell your neighbors and post your face online and now some messed up person thinks it would do the rest of the world good to put a map on there as well.
the three tiered idea isn't a bad idea, a little late after destroying families with the web, but lets see where it goes and who is a danger?
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RickinVa of Alexandria, VA
May 16, 2007 8:16 AM
I have to agree with papasmurf on this one. Why does the public need driving directions to these people's homes? So they can harrass them and possibly kill them as has happened in the past?

Putting their information online, along with where they work and a recent photo, should provide all the information the public needs.

If you want driving directions, perhaps then you should enact a law where their homes are out-fitted with neon lights and set up a shooting gallery to see who can kill the person first.

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parasite of Albion, ME
May 16, 2007 8:30 AM
Mapping is already available at
http://www.familywatchdog.us/
And to papasmurf and Rick...its not about tracking down a sex offender to do them harm. If someone really wanted to do that, an online map not being available wouldn't stop them.
Its about people who want to build or buy a home and not have a sicko living right next door.
Its about protecting an innocent family member from the perpetrators.report abuse
papasmurf of skowhegan, ME
May 16, 2007 9:12 AM
parasite, who are you to call anyone a sicko? and protecting innocent family member from the perpetrator.
Are we saying lets condem someone not for what they did but for what they might do?
if aconcerned home buyer wants a home then just go to the police station its public record, again no need for the world to have a map.
enough has been done to destroy families, and remember some cases are over 20 years old and they now have families of their own...stop digging in the past before someone wants to dig in your closet.report abuse

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