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Waterman: legislation to protect children from sex offenders signed into law
NEWS RELEASE 3.25.08
Contact: Carrie Zapfe
317-232-7184
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waterman: Legislation to protect children
from sex offenders signed into law
(STATEHOUSE) – Popular Internet social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace will be off limits to sex offenders under legislation signed into law by Gov. Mitch Daniels. Senate Enrolled Act 258 was authored by Sen. John Waterman (R-Shelburn).
“Unfortunately, the Internet makes it all too easy for sexual predators to prey on innocent children,” Waterman said. “My legislation prohibits certain sex offenders from using these popular social networking sites that are accessible to children under the age of 18.”
Waterman’s legislation also makes it a Class B misdemeanor for a person 21 years old or older who talks with a child aged 14 or younger regarding sexual activity. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the communication is conducted through computer.
Other components of SEA 258 include:
- Global Positioning Systems monitoring of sexual predators will be required in 2009;
- School corporations are required to implement safe computing programs;
- Sex offenders are obligated to report their Internet address as part of the sex offender registration process;
- Sex offenders are required to consent to computer searches and installation of monitoring software; and
- Sex offenders are required to notify the county sheriff of any changes in their Internet information.
Waterman serves Senate District 39, which includes Clay, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Owen, Sullivan and
