For Immediate
Release: April 16, 2004
Audio
Clip
Senator Jay Paul Gumm
Legislation to Strengthen Sex Offender Law
Signed by Governor
Gov Brad
Henry has signed legislation to make sure out-of-state
sex offenders with Oklahoma spouses don’t evade the
state’s sex offender registry.
The legislation also shortens the amount of time convicted
sex offenders have to register with the Department of Corrections
and local police, from three days to two days.
Sen. Jay
Paul Gumm is principal author of Senate Bill 1096. Gumm
filed the bill in response to a constituent who was concerned
about the safety of his grandchildren.
“This constituent told me he was concerned convicted
sex offenders with legal addresses in Texas, could come
back across the state line to visit spouses in Oklahoma,”
Gumm related. “By maintaining Texas addresses, pedophiles
could avoid Oklahoma’s sex offender registry.”
“That was a big worry to my constituent and a serious
weakness in our statutes. Now we can better protect Oklahoma
families, especially those living in border areas.”
Gumm, a Democrat from Durant, said the new law requires
convicted sex offenders to register with local law enforcement
within two days of entering the state, regardless of where
they were convicted.
Rep. John Carey, a fellow Democrat from Durant, was Gumm’s
co-author in the House of Representatives. Carey said this
was an important public safety issue.
“As a parent, I can tell you if there was a sex offender
living in my neighborhood, or just visiting from time to
time, I would certainly want to know,” he said. “That
kind of information can help parents protect their children
from these predators.”
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Office - (405) 521-5774
