Capito Votes to Protect Children from Sexual Offenders, Gangs

Capito Votes to Protect Children from Sexual Offenders, Gangs

WASHINGTON, DC -(3/8)- Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today voted for legislation to protect West Virginia children from sex offenders and add tough new sentences for gang members.

The legislation will crack down on offenders with stricter penalties and will require a sex offender to register immediately upon moving into a new community ensuring an offender cannot flee exposure by moving to another state. According to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children there are 2,236 registered sex offenders in West Virginia as of June 2005 and over 100,000 nationally that are unaccounted for.

"As a West Virginian and as a mother I understand the importance of our children's safety. This legislation improves the national sex offender registration program by making it a federal crime if a child molester does not register," Capito said. "In too many cases, sex offenders have moved across county and state lines to avoid registration requirements and hinder community efforts to protect our children. This bill will use tough new penalties to combat the problem. I urge the Senate to quickly pass this important legislation."

http://capito.house.gov/press_office/detail-page.aspx?id=145&whichone=pr