FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2001

Assembly Committee Passes Bill Requiring Registration
Of Sex Offenders On College Campuses
Move Supported By Campus Police, Crime Victims

AB 4 supporters (l-r) Denise Smart, Jessica Higgins, Daniel Carter, Det. Sally Miller, Assemblymember Patricia Bates, and Chief Terry Stewart

Sacramento, CA-Convicted sex offenders would be required to register with campus police when they become enrolled in or employed on the campus of a college or university under a bill passed this morning by the California Assembly Public Safety committee. Offenders must already register with local police or sheriffs offices. The proposal is supported by campus police who want the same type of information other police agencies get.

"This legislation will give college police the information necessary to fully investigate sex crimes and protect our communities from sexual predators," said Detective Sally Miller of the Santa Rosa Junior College police department in Sonoma county.

The bill, AB 4, was authored by Assemblymembers Patricia C. Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced). "We know that parents worry a great deal about the safety of their children when they are away at college," said Bates. "My legislation will help campus police defend students and school staff from sexual predators."

The legislation is also supported by several victims' rights organizations, including Crime Victims United of California, and Security On Campus, Inc. (SOC) a national non-profit campus safety group. Similar federal legislation was passed by Congress last year and this bill will bring California into compliance with the federal guidelines.