The State Superintendent of Public Instruction will begin receiving the state Sex Offender Registry this summer for distribution to school districts thanks to a bill signed into law Monday.

Senate Bill 440, by Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, will help improve Oklahoma school districts' ability to check potential employees, as well as current ones, by giving them direct access to the state registry.

Myers noted that currently schools have to pay a fee to obtain information about sex offenders in Oklahoma, something they will not have to do once the new law goes into affect on July 1, 2005.

"This new law will help our schools save both time and money, but most importantly protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children, from sexual predators," said Myers. "Our law already prohibits convicted sex offenders from working with children, but people can get overlooked because of the process schools must currently go through to get information. This new law will make the process faster and more efficient."

Sex offenders found working with children during the term of registration can be prosecuted, while an employer who knowingly employee a registered sex offender can be held civilly liable.

For more information contact:
Senate Communications Office- (405) 521-5774