Virginians convicted of sex offenses might have to move under legislation making its way through the General Assembly.
The proposal would prohibit offenders from living within 1,000 feet (about one-fifth of a mile) of any school. The restrictions would not apply if the facility is built after an offender’s conviction. Violators would face up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.
Del. Clay Athey, R-Warren, originally wanted his bill to prohibit offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop, a community park or playground, recreation center or a public pool, but narrowed his bill at the request of other lawmakers.
“Sex offenders don’t stop committing crimes,” Athey said. “They commit crimes in their 20s, 30s, 40s and throughout their lives. I am trying to protect our children.”
Athey’s bill sailed through the House on a 98-0 vote last week and is awaiting a vote in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.
Carrie Kirkland, director of Sexual Assault Services at George Mason University, praised the bill because she said sex offenders are more likely than other criminals to commit crimes after being released from prison.
“Pedophiles, who are lured to children, would especially want to live close to places where children are, like schools,” she said.
Several House members worried the bill would catch people who did not commit serious sexual crimes, such as consensual acts that might violate the commonwealth’s Crimes Against Nature statute. Athey, however, said the bill is needed even if the offenders are not rapists or child molesters.
“If someone has pornographic pictures of a 3-year-old or a 12-year-old, and they are living within 1,000 feet of a school, I am concerned for my child,” Athey said. “And if they are committing crimes against nature, like bestiality, I certainly don’t want them within 1,000 feet of my children. I haven’t heard any [sex] offense that I think that it would be OK for someone to commit and still be around my children.”
