Sex offender registry declines by 68 because of new law

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ There are 68 fewer names on Oklahoma's sex offender registry. <br><br>A new law that went into effect Nov. 1 narrowed the criteria for inmates to be placed on the list, excluding

Tuesday, November 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ There are 68 fewer names on Oklahoma's sex offender registry.

A new law that went into effect Nov. 1 narrowed the criteria for inmates to be placed on the list, excluding those who were convicted of kidnapping.

Senate Bill 1536, which was passed in the last legislative session, requires someone convicted of kidnapping to have sexually abused a victim or to have sexually exploited a victim in order to be included on the registry.

Since the law is retroactive, kidnappers whose crimes weren't sexual in nature and who previously had been listed on the registry had to be removed.

As of Monday, there were 4,665 names on the sex offender registry, department spokesman Jerry Massie said.

Oklahoma has maintained a sex offender registry since 1989. Federal law now requires it for all states.

Registered sex offenders must tell the corrections department where they live and provide other personal information at least once a year. More serious offenders must check in every 90 days.

The department also maintains a Web site link at www.doc.state.ok.us to the state's more serious sex offenders.

Only habitual offenders or aggravated offenders _ those whose crime are considered the most serious _ are listed on the Web site.