Two new laws in effect for sex offenders

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Two new laws went into effect last week regarding sex offenders. One law, Act 538, says violent sex offenders convicted of rape using force will be required to register as a sex offender for life. The other law, Act 267, allows level three sex offenders to attend school events if they are related to a student and give a 24-hour written notice.Act 538 says those convicted of rape, involving force, will have to register on the state sex offender registry for life.

Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery supports the law saying it holds sex offenders in that category to a higher level of accountability.

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Act 538 says lifetime registration is required if the offender committed an aggravated sexual offense, was determined by the court to be a level four sexual dangerous person or was convicted of rape by forcible compulsion or a substantially similar offense in another jurisdiction.

Montgomery says he’s not in favor of Act 267, which allows an offender to attend a school sponsored event. Montgomery says it takes away a local school district’s right to police itself and establish its own policy.

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Nevertheless, Montgomery says a priority for his department is to keep the public aware of the sex offenders in the county.

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Montgomery repeats his belief with his familiar saying “an informed public is a safer public”.

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