Republican state lawmakers unveil sex offender initiative

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ House Republican leaders unveil an intiative Tuesday to stiffen penalties for people convicted of sex offenses involving children. <br/><br/>Under proposals announced by Republican

Tuesday, December 13th 2005, 4:36 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ House Republican leaders unveil an intiative Tuesday to stiffen penalties for people convicted of sex offenses involving children.

Under proposals announced by Republican Representatives Odilia Dank, Kris Steele, Susan Winchester and Gus Blackwell, the present mandatory minimum sentence would increase to 15 years without parole for someone convicted of sexual molestation to a child 12 or younger.

The proposals also would extend current laws that bar registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a public or private school to parks and playgrounds.

The lawmakers say they're still in the process of determining how expanded monitoring requirements and longer prison sentences would affect the cash-strapped Department of Corrections.

House Republicans have refused to resume a special legislative session to deal with funding for the agency, which is understaffed.

Steele says the cost of putting away sex offenders is well worth it where children are concerned.