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September 16, 2005
Fla. lawmakers to amend sex offender law
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Lawmakers plan to amend a law named for a 9-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped and slain by a convicted sex offender because the legislation could keep legitimate workers off school grounds.
The Jessica Lunsford Act was designed to further protect children from sexual predators, yet its awkward language is also hindering school visitors like builders, those who restock vending machines and sports referees.
It requires schools to bar individuals with records of "moral turpitude," a term that can include drunken driving, embezzlement and a variety of misdemeanors - although the law was aimed at sex offenders and other criminals who prey on children.
"We're going to change that because that's too broad and because it's being interpreted by different school boards any way you can imagine," said Sen. Nancy Argenziano, a Republican who represents the district where 9-year-old Jessica lived.
A bill to clarify which crimes are covered by the ban will be introduced at a still-unannounced special legislative session that Gov. Jeb Bush plans to call, Argenziano said. She expects more changes during the next regular session in March.
Other parts of the bill provide tougher penalties, up to life sentences in some cases, for sex offenders who target children and lifetime satellite monitoring once they are freed.
Jessica disappeared from her home Feb. 23. Her body was found March 19, buried behind a mobile home where John Couey was staying. He has pleaded not guilty to capital murder, kidnapping and sexual assault charges. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.
Posted by Nealus at September 16, 2005 10:51 AM
