Arciero Urges Passage of Bill to Provide More Information on Sexual Predators

Earlier this week State Representative James Arciero joined with local community leaders such as Chelmsford’s Laurie Myers to speak in front of the state house to increase protection for children and neighborhoods against sexual predators.

Myers, who is president and founder of the public safety and victims’ advocacy organization Community Voices, said the bill will ensure that the most current information regarding sex offenders is available to the general public via the internet.  

“The safety of my community doesn't end at the town line.  As parents we travel to different communities with our children and should have access to the information without having to visit the police department to fill out a form every time we want it,” said Myers.  “Sex offenders use the internet to prey on children; it only makes sense that parents be allowed to use it to keep our communities safe."

In addition to his earlier legislation making information on sex offenders more widely available, he’s also introduced House Bill 3229, which would allow for placing of names and information on Level II sex offenders on the internet.

“This has been one of my top legislative priorities and I am hopeful that this rally will move us a step closer to taking the simple act to protect the children and families of Massachusetts by taking the simple act of placing this public information on the internet,” said Arciero.  “Level II offenders are dangerous people and we need to have this information available for the residents of our communities.”  

Currently information for Level III sex offenders, or those convicted of serious crimes with a high chance or re-offense, is widely available in comparison to Level II offenders, who are considered less likely to engage in another sexual crime.

If passed, Arciero says the bill would bring Massachusetts in line with the Adam Walsh Act, a piece of federal legislation named after an abducted Florida boy that mandates certain levels of registration and community notification for convicted sex offenders.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Arciero’s bill is one of 165 bills in 31 states addressing Adam Walsh Act issues, with 15 states other than Massachusetts implementing requirements of the Adam Walsh Act as of December 2011.