NEW: Lawmaker Call for Stricter Sex Offender Laws

NEW: Lawmaker Call for Stricter Sex Offender Laws

Rep. James N. McLaughlin (D-Dist. 57, Cumberland, Central Falls) has introduced a bill allowing the court to take into account an individual’s prior sex offense indictments and arrests when determining whether or not to hold him or her for similar sexual offenses without bail.

Representative McLaughlin, who introduced the legislation (2012-H 7846) toward the close of February, said he submitted the bill because he is committed to community safety.

“This is a precaution we need to take in the case of individuals who may already have prior sexual offenses,” Representative McLaughlin said. “We’re not talking about interfering with a person’s right to have a fair trial here – we’re talking about not letting potential sex offenders back out on the streets before they receive that judgment.”

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The state Department of Corrections tracked a 2009 cohort of 98 offenders who had a sex offense listed as their most serious crime. Of those 98 offenders, 11 returned within one year of their release. Eight of those returned for a sex offense, but five were probation violations, one was a parole violation and two were for new sex offenses. The remaining three individuals appeared before the court for non-violent charges.

Yet even one guilty sex offender released on bail can do a world of harm, Representative McLaughlin said. Under the provisions of his bill, if an individual is not released and denied bail as a potential danger to the community, that person would be remanded to protective custody.

The legislation defines “sexual offense” to include any violation of the law requiring individuals to register under the Sexual Offender Registration and Community Notification Act.

Co-sponsors for the bill include Representatives Karen L. MacBeth (D-Dist. 52, Cumberland), Rene R. Menard (D-Dist. 45, Lincoln, Cumberland), Scott J. Guthrie (D-Dist. 28, Coventry) and Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly). The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.