Senator George Runner
Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) today commented on the California Sex Offender Management Board's call to repeal residency restrictions set forth by Proposition 83: Jessica's Law, a ballot measure passed by 70 percent of voters in the 2006 election:

"California voters overwhelming adopted the laws that determine where sex offenders are allowed to live. If the Sex Offender Management Board wants to change the will of the voters, then I would expect them to issue a more detailed report that outlines the specific changes they believe should be made to Jessica's Law.

"What SOMB's latest report fails to address is the inclusion of GPS monitoring of California sex offenders, which gives our state a comprehensive approach to residency restrictions – unlike so many other states that just use residency restrictions.

"The report also lacks specific recommendations to improve current California sex offender management policies, which is disappointing; and it's unfortunate that the report omits actual evidence to support the board's idea that sex offender residency laws in California should be abandoned.

"Let's not forget the voters made it clear that they do not believe child molesters should live in close proximity to schools, parks and other places where children play."