WASHINGTON (AP) - Finding the nearest convicted child molester might be as easy as punching in a ZIP code on a computer keyboard, thanks to a bill that cleared Congress Tuesday.
The House passed and sent to President Bush legislation establishing a national Internet database designed to let law enforcement and communities know where convicted sex offenders live and work.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales applauded its passage. "America's children will be better protected from every parent's worst nightmare - sexual predators," he said.
The most serious offenders would be registered on a national database for a lifetime. All sex offenders could face a felony charge, punishable by 10 years in prison, for failing to update the information.
"This legislation would make it crystal clear to sex offenders, you better register, you better keep the information current, or you're going to jail," said Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.
This is a great start. However, the offenders need to be caught first. Hopefully, we can all work toward that end.
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