Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE -- Five bills dealing with sex offenders are in limbo while the Rhode Island General Assembly is in recess.

To reach the governor, the proposals hinge on whether House and Senate hold sessions -- and what those sessions will encompass -- this month or next.

The bills that have made it to or through the House or Senate, but not both, would:

* Require registered sex offenders who temporarily live in the state for at least 14 days to register with police in the community where they are residing within 24 hours of the 14th day. Senate approved Tuesday; needs House approval.

* Make it a felony for convicted offenders to knowingly enter playgrounds, daycare centers and schools. Made it to the House calendar but was not voted out last week.

* Require convicted offenders to be monitored by wearing global positioning system devices while they appeal the level of their sex-offender classifications. Bill supporters say appeals last months or years and public notification about an offender is prohibited during appeals. Bill reached House calendar; some House members had concerns.

* Require landlords who are registered sex offenders to disclose their status on leases to prospective renters. House passed the bill June 26; needs Senate approval.

* Reimburse communities for the costs of public notification about sex offenders. Senate approved June 11; hasn't cleared House Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston, sponsor of the House bill seeking a felony for offenders who enter playgrounds, schools and daycare centers, said "neither the House nor the Senate version" of the bill, "as they are presently constructed" will pass. He is "very hopeful" a proposal that will pass can be accomplished later this month, though he wondered if lawmakers will have enough time.

Several proposals at the legislative committee level drew constitutional and other concerns from some lawmakers and the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union.

 Tags  General Assembly Providence RI sex offenders

Leave a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.