OKLAHOMA CITY -
More restrictions
are in the works right now for Oklahoma sex offenders. One lawmaker is pushing
to make it happen, and he's focusing on schools and daycares.
Right now in
Oklahoma, only certain sex offenders are not allowed to loiter near a school or
daycare. In fact, 500 feet is the limit. Soon, the restriction could be
mandated to include more offenders.
"It will pass 100
to nothing because nobody is ever going to challenge a law like this," criminal
defense attorney David Slane said.
Currently, people
on the sex offender's registry whose victims are 13 years old or younger are
forbidden from loitering within 500 feet of a school or daycare. State Sen. John Ford of Bartlesville wants the age of the victim expanded to 18, to ban
even more sex offenders.
"I've absolutely
heard nothing against this legislation at all," Ford said. "The only thing
[I've heard was] from a couple [saying] 'Goodness! Why wasn't it 18 earlier?'"
A registered sex offender
shared his thoughts with News 9 while concealing his identity. He's been on the sex offender registry since 2004,
convicted of rape. But he says he never committed the crime.
"They make it impossible for
us to live anywhere," the registered sex offender said. "Every time we turn
around, it's something else…adding a new law…make it harder."
Supporters of the
bill say it's a no brainer. The legislation was suggested by the Cooperative
Council for Oklahoma School Administration, but not everyone thinks it's the
best idea.
"No one should
loiter around a school," Slane said. "We shouldn't limit this to sex offenders.
Nobody has business going around kids in the school."
Slane represents
numerous sex offenders. He believes the bill will give parents a false sense of
security, but admits many parents, teachers and politicians will support the new
restriction.
The bill will be
assigned to a committee once the legislature begins a new session in February.
![[File Photo]](http://KWTV.images.worldnow.com/images/20437097_BG1.jpg "[File Photo]")
[File Photo]
