March 2, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed legislation that provides Michigan citizens with a new tool to help them protect both themselves and their children from potential sexual predators.  The new law will allow people to sign up for email notifications when a registered sex offender moves into their zip code.
 
“As a parent, I know how essential it is to have information about the safety of the neighborhoods where my family lives and where my children attend school,” said Granholm.  “Notifying citizens when a sex offender moves into the neighborhood is one more tool our families can use to help keep themselves and their children safe.”

Public Act 46, signed by the Governor today, requires the Michigan State Police (MSP) to create a subscriber system that provides electronic notification, via email, whenever a registered sex offender moves into the designated zip code.  Interested individuals will be required to register for this service once the law takes effect.

Currently, information on the state’s sex offender registry is available to the public and searchable by zip code, but a person must either go to the MSP web page or visit their local law enforcement agency to receive information about registered offenders living nearby.  In order to ensure they have current information, a person must check either the web page or local law enforcement office regularly. 
 
Senate Bill 128 was sponsored by Senator Alan Sanborn (R-Richmond Township).  The legislation takes effect on January 1, 2007.

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