Senate OKs Bill to Require Notification About Sex Offenders

The Senate on Thursday gave final congressional approval to a bill that would require states to notify the public whenever a convicted sex offender, who may pose a danger to children, has settled in a community.

The bill, known as “Megan’s law,” is named for Megan Kanka, a 7-year-old New Jersey girl who was kidnapped, raped and killed in 1994 by a twice-convicted sex offender who had moved in across the street in Hamilton Township, just outside of Trenton.

The Senate bill was adopted by a unanimous voice vote in a fleeting moment of bipartisanship during a day of wrangling over repealing the gas tax and raising the minimum wage--issues that were left unresolved until next week.

The House approved the notification bill Tuesday night by a vote of 418 to 0. A White House spokeswoman said Thursday night that President Clinton will sign the bill.

Variations of “Megan’s law” already have been adopted in numerous states, including California. And the 1994 federal crime bill permitted states to require notification but did not require it.

Since then, 49 states have enacted sex offender registration laws but 30 states have adopted community notification provisions.

Rep. Dick Zimmer (R-N.J.), the bill’s sponsor, hailed the congressional action as “a great victory for the children of this country.”

The wave of sex offender registration and notification laws has prompted concern among civil libertarians, who question the legality.

Critics have raised questions, for instance, about who is authorized to decide--and by what criteria--which convicted sex offenders still pose a danger to society.

Among those making the rounds on Capitol Hill earlier this week were Maureen and Richard Kanka, Megan’s parents. Her accused assailant is awaiting trial.

Under California’s law, residents who want to learn if a neighbor is a convicted sex offender must call a special phone line set up by the state Department of Justice and identify themselves, state their concerns and give the name of the person they suspect. The state law has not been tested in court.