Dear Friends:

The Assembly Minority Task Force on Sex Crimes Against Children and Women, of which I am vice chairman, has conducted hearings throughout the state to identify deficiencies with the state’s Sex Offender Registry - part of Megan’s Law - and determine how it can be strengthened and made more effective in protecting women and children from becoming victims of sexual predators.

Information gathered from these hearings has led me to co-sponsor legislation that is designed to further protect the public from sex offenders who are deemed highly likely to engage in more acts of sexual violence upon their release from prison. The legislation, which has consistently passed the Senate, calls for civil confinement of sexually violent criminals so they receive the care and treatment needed to prevent them from attacking more unsuspecting victims.

State government has a dual responsibility to protect the public from sexually violent predators and provide professional help for offenders at a secure mental health facility after their sentences are served.

The full Assembly for each of the past five years has not been allowed to consider civil confinement legislation or the bill has been stalled in the majority-controlled Mental Health Committee. I will continue to fight to bring this legislation to the floor for a vote.