Press Release Archive
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Governor Culver: We Take Another Step Forward In Protecting Our Children
Tougher sex offender bill signed into law
DES MOINES – Continuing his commitment to ensuring the public safety, Governor Chet Culver today signed Senate File 340 – otherwise known as the Adam Walsh Act – which strengthens Iowa’s sex offender laws to keep them off our streets and away from Iowa’s children.
“As Governor, public safety is my number one concern. Nowhere is this more important than for some of our most vulnerable citizens – our children,” said Governor Culver. “We’re here today with one simple idea in mind - that there is no place in Iowa for those who abuse our children. With my signature, we are making our communities safer and taking one more step to protect Iowa’s kids.”
Senate File 340 makes the following changes to Iowa’s sex offender laws:
Exclusionary Zones: Sex offenders will no longer be allowed in schools, on school busses, at child care centers, or public libraries. In addition, sex offenders convicted of serious crimes are not allowed within 300 feet of these facilities, as well as other places minors may be present, such as playgrounds and swimming pools.
Modernizing Iowa’s Sex Offender Registry: Iowa’s sex offender registry will be updated to comply with national sex offender registry standards, which will make it easier for Iowa’s law enforcement community to track sex offenders both in Iowa’s communities and across the country.
Prohibited Employment: To help keep sex offenders away from Iowa’s children, convicted sex offenders will no longer be allowed to work in places such as schools, day cares, kids’ arcades, and other places where children are often present.
The Governor was joined at the bill signing by Attorney General Tom Miller and Commissioner of Public Safety Gene Meyer, a bi-partisan contingent of state legislators, and more than 100 members of Iowa’s law enforcement community.