KEATING signs juvenile sex offender registry bill

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Gov. Frank Keating signed legislation Friday that establishes a registry for juvenile sex offenders. <br><br>The measure requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to work with the

Saturday, June 2nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Gov. Frank Keating signed legislation Friday that establishes a registry for juvenile sex offenders.

The measure requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to work with the state Department of Corrections to create the registry, which will be similar to the state's sex offender registry for adults.

It also authorizes the release of registry information to criminal justice agencies and the public following a court order.

Juvenile sex offenders are required by the statute to register annually and it makes failure to register a misdemeanor.

When a registered offender turns 21, a prosecutor may petition to have the offender transferred to the adult registry.

``This is a good piece of legislation, Keating said. ``This law will make it tougher for sex offenders to prey on our children and I'm pleased to sign it.''

The legislation, by Sen. Ted Fisher, D-Sapulpa, was inspired by an Oilton case in which 7-year-old Kristi Blevins was murdered and her 12-year-old friend was raped.

Robert Wayne Rotramel, 20, is awaiting trial in that case. Authorities said the defendant had a history of sex offenses as a juvenile.

The bill is among 50 bills passed by the Legislature during its regular session that Keating signed into law.