September 28, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed the 18-bill package aimed at protecting children from sexual predators while at school or day care.  The new laws also strengthen reporting requirements for convicted sex offenders to ensure that the state’s Sex Offender Registry is accurate.
 
“Parents deserve peace of mind knowing that their children are safe, especially when they are away from home,” Granholm said.  “This legislation will ensure that sexual predators cannot harm children while they are riding the bus, playing on the school playground, learning in classrooms, or at day care.” 
 
Granholm first called for this type of legislation in a letter to legislators in May.  The letter asked the legislature to pass bills that would:

• create “Predator Free Zones” to keep sex offenders out of schools;
• require background checks on employees in public schools and day care centers; 
• allow evidence of prior sex crimes to be considered as character evidence at trial; 
• prevent teachers who are convicted sex offenders from returning to the classroom.

All of the provisions in the May letter are included in the package signed by the Governor today.  The package also includes new requirements for people already on the state’s Sex Offender Registry, including notification to the state immediately upon vacating the current residence and increased penalties for failing to report accurate residency information.

“We must remain diligent until we have taken every possible step to ensure that are children are safe,” said Granholm.  “I commend the legislature for acting quickly on this important legislation.”
  
Granholm has been a long-time advocate of child protection issues.  As governor, Granholm has worked hard to prompt action on the legislation being signed today, as well as the package of bills she signed into law two weeks ago limiting children’s access to violent and sexually-explicit video games.
 
As attorney general, the Governor formed the High-Tech Crime Unit in conjunction with the Michigan State Police to crack down on Internet child pornographers and child predators.  Attorney General Granholm also took on retailers who made alcohol and cigarettes available to children and shut down Websites that sold the ingredients to make GHB, the “date rape” drug.
 
At today’s event, the Governor signed House Bill 4932 sponsored by Representative Ed Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe Farms) and Senate Bill 129 sponsored by Senator Alan Sanborn (R-Richmond Twp). 

Also in the package are: Senate Bill 617 sponsored by Laura Toy (R-Livonia); Senate Bill 606 sponsored by Michael Bishop (R-Rochester); Senate Bill 607 sponsored by Senator Bruce Patterson (R-Canton); Senate Bill 609 sponsored by Senator Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland); Senate Bill 611 sponsored by Senator Jason Allen (R-Traverse City); Senate Bill 615 sponsored by Senator Bill Hardiman (R-Kentwood); Senate Bill 616 sponsored by Senator Nancy Cassis (R-Novi); House Bill 4402 sponsored by Representative Geoff Hansen (R-Hart); House Bill 4928 sponsored by Representative Brian Palmer (R-Romeo); House Bill 4930 sponsored by Representative Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Bellaire); House Bill 4934 sponsored by Representative Richard Ball (R-Bennington Twp); House Bill 4936 sponsored by Representative Rick Baxter (R-Concord); House Bill 4937 sponsored by Representative David Law (R-Commerce Twp); House Bill 4958 sponsored by Representative Bill Caul (R-Mt Pleasant); and House Bill 4991 sponsored by Representative Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan)