July 25, 2006

Pryce: One Hurt Child is One Child Too Many

House Acts to Protect Children From Sexual Predators

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Columbus) today said the Child Protection and Safety Act, which the House overwhelmingly passed today, will help protect children from sexual predators.  Pryce is a member of the House Suburban Agenda Caucus, and this bill also includes the first part of the Suburban Agenda to be sent to the president’s desk.

“News reports are filled with too many stories of children being victimized by violent criminals and sexual predators,” Pryce said.  “In my own state of Ohio, some 50,000 children are abused and neglected each year, a horrifying statistic that cannot stand.  Even one hurt child is one child too many.  As members of Congress, we have a responsibility to take action to prevent these sickening crimes and ensure that children are protected.  The legislation we passed today will help ensure that no convicted sexual predator ever has another opportunity to harm a child.

“It is a terrifying thought that while all states require background checks, pedophiles and other felons can be working in our school systems with our children just because of limitations currently in place on sharing information between states.  This Suburban Agenda initiative addresses the importance of school safety by allowing school districts to access FBI criminal data before choosing to hire a new employee.” 

Among other things, H.R. 4472, the Child Protection and Safety Act, will do the following:

  • 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;
  • Increase penalties for using the Internet for the sexual exploitation of children; and
  • Increase law enforcement’s ability to combat child pornography.
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