March 8, 2006

Pryce Votes to Crack Down
on Sexual Predators  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today said H.R. 4472, the Children’s Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act of 2005, will help protect children from the evils of sexual abuse and exploitation, as the House passed the bill by voice vote.                              

“The sexual abuse and exploitation of children is a heinous crime -- a brutal violation of the most innocent and defenseless members of our society,” Pryce said.  “The bill before us today, the Children’s Safety Act of 2006, will help protect children from the perpetrators of this horrific evil by strengthening notification requirements for sex offenders and increasing criminal penalties for child sexual predators. 

“The defense of the innocent is one of the most basic obligations of morality, and it is the responsibility of every man and woman, but especially those of us who bear the responsibility of leadership, to take a stand against this vile crime.  Passing the Children’s Safety Act is the very least we can do to eradicate this crime and ensure that no child ever suffers this evil.”

Among other things, the Children’s Safety Act will:

  • Improve the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program to ensure that sex offenders register – and keep current – where they reside, work, and attend school;
  • Create the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website to search for sex offender information in each community;
  • Require states to notify each other when sex offenders move from one state to another;
  • Create a new criminal penalty of up to a maximum of 20 years for sex offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements; and
  • Protect foster children from sexual abuse and exploitation and increase criminal penalties for child sexual predators.
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