Bills would add residency and name change restrictions for sexual predators

The Judiciary Committee heard testimony March 16 on two bills that would change provisions related to registered sex offenders.

Under LB508, introduced by Hoskins Sen. Dave Bloomfield, a political subdivision could restrict sexual predators from living within 500 feet of a park that covers at least 2,500 square feet. Currently, sexual predators are prohibited from living within 500 feet of a school or day care. The ordinance would not apply to a sexual predator who has established his or her residence before the effective date of the bill, if a park is established near a predator after the effective date of the bill or to a predator who resides in a correctional or treatment facility near a park.

“We must do something to restrict people who have harmed children in the past from living near where children play,” Bloomfield said.

South Sioux City Police Chief Scot Ford testified in support of the bill. Because sexual predators have committed crimes against minors, he said, they should be prevented from living near parks in the interest of child safety.

“Sexual predators — as opposed to sexual offenders — are in an entirely different class and are part of a classification that deals with a stronger likelihood to reoffend,” Ford said. “We feel that it is imperative to do everything we can do to keep our children safe.”

Brian Kitt, a registered sex offender in Douglas County, testified in opposition to the bill, saying it would not stop sexual predators from preying on children. Molesting children is already a felony, he said, so a residency restriction would not prohibit a sexual predator who is already willing to commit a felony.

A second bill, LB671, was introduced by Norfolk Sen. Mike Flood and would prohibit a registered sex offender from changing his or her name.

Flood said the state patrol currently must determine if a person seeking a name change is a registered sex offender and must notify the county sheriff of the offender’s residency. This bill would eliminate that process, he said.

Furthermore, Flood said, concerns have been expressed in Norfolk about the significant number of name change requests made in recent months by sex offenders.

Kitt testified in opposition to the bill, saying too many restrictions are placed on sex offenders, making it difficult for them to know whether they are violating a law.

There was no proponent testimony given to LB671 and the committee took no immediate action on either bill.