(Sacramento, CA) – Senate Bill 1253, authored by Senator Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) was heard in the Assembly Public Safety Committee today. It passed by a vote of 5-0.

Supported by the California State Sheriffs’ Association, SB 1253 would prohibit a defendant convicted of lewd or lascivious acts on a child from being placed or residing within ½ mile of the child victim’s residence. While current law does state that a convicted child molester cannot live within ½ mile of a school, it does not provide for any such assurance with regard to where the victim lives.

Senator Strickland said, “Children who are victims of sexual molestation deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhood. Being forced to walk by the house of their molester in order to get to and from school will do nothing to help a child get over the tragedy of being molested.”

“I’m happy to see legislators on both sides of the aisle have come together to approve this common-sense bill,” Senator Strickland added. “This legislation is a step in the right direction towards ensuring the safety of kids who have been victims of sexual assault.”

SB 1253 now heads to the Assembly floor for a vote.

Tony Strickland represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.