Senator Christopher Connors

June 8, 2009   

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Senator Christopher J. Connors

Legislation introduced by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt to prohibit sexual offenders from living within 500 feet of a school, daycare center or playground was released by the Assembly Judiciary Committee today. The 9th District Delegation’s measure, A-285, was among several bills on the Committee’s agenda that primarily focused on Megan’s Law.

“The recent decision by the State Supreme Court that, in effect, struck down local sex offender residency ordinances clearly demonstrates that it is left to the state to establish ‘pedophile-free zones’ around our schools and daycare centers,” said Assemblyman Rumpf, who testified at the hearing. “The legislation released by the Committee would amend State law to authorize municipalities to establish their own local ordinance. It is imperative that New Jersey continue to work to enhance the protections offered under Megan’s Law.”

“With more than 100 municipalities enacting their own local ordinances, there is little question that significant support exists among state residents to strengthen Megan’s Law through residency restrictions,” said Senator Connors, a member of the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “Since 2004, the 9th District Delegation has been the leading sponsors in the Senate and Assembly of the legislative push to establish ‘pedophile-free zones’ around specified areas frequented by our children. Having served in the Legislature since the time when Megan’s Law was first enacted in New Jersey, I am confident that the state can find the constitutional grounds for instituting this sensible protective measure. It is important to note that our state has a proven track record in successfully defending legal challenges to its sexual offender laws.”

The 9th District Delegation’s measure was combined with other legislation also considered during the hearing. Connors, Rumpf and Van Pelt are also the leading sponsors of legislation (S-80/A-288) that would require that county prosecutors determine the risk of re-offense, or “tier,” prior to the release from prison of a sex offender. Under Megan’s Law, a sex offender’s tiering, among other things, determines the level of community notification.

Assemblyman Van Pelt went on to add, “Even with the comprehensive protections already in place, including community notification, it makes no sense to simply allow convicted sexual predators to make their home in proximity to a school or daycare center. Without question, we believe residency restrictions for sex offenders are consistent with the spirit and intent of Megan’s Law.”

Additional information about Megan’s Law can be found online at the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry page at http://www.njsp.org/info/reg_sexoffend.html.

Legislation introduced by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt to prohibit sexual offenders from living within 500 feet of a school, daycare center or playground was released by the Assembly Judiciary Committee today. The 9th District Delegation’s [...]