Public safety continues to be a top concern of lawmakers especially when it comes to registered sex offenders and on Tuesday another bill aimed at placing limitations on these offenders has been introduced by Senator James Moylan.
Bill 175-35 would prohibit any adult sex offender from loitering on or within 500 feet of the property line of any property on which there is a school, childcare facility, playground, park, athletic field or facility, library, school bus stop, college or university, or any other business facility having a principal purpose of caring for, educating or entertaining minors.
Senator James Moylan said: “The objective of the legislation is to protect the most innocent and vulnerable of our community from the uncertainties of a registered sex offender frequenting a location for no specific purposes. Bill 175-35 does define ‘loitering’ as entering or remaining on a property while having no legitimate purpose or, if a legitimate purpose exists, remaining on that property beyond the time necessary to fulfill that purpose. While the legislation recognizes that a registered sex offender may have a specific purpose to enter any property which is frequented by minors, it does stipulate the limitations for their visit.”
It may be recalled that convicted repeat sex offender Paul Santos Mafnas Jr, allegedly admitted to targeting minor girls ranging in age from 13 years old to 18 years old, abducting them from bus stops and raping them.
Moylan said his bill is designed to protect children as concerns were raised that Guam does not have loitering limitations for sex offenders. He said it was just assumed there were laws already in place.
Meanwhile, co-author of the bill, Senator Amanda Shelton said: “Sex offenders should not be loitering in places where children congregate. This bill addresses a glaring omission when it comes to protecting our children from predators.”
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