Officers lobby for sex offender law reforms

Clay County Sheriff Randy Krukow was among the group of officers and prosecutors Monday night who called on the Legislature overhaul Iowa's sex abuse laws.

Krukow supports a proposed bill, which divides persons convicted of a sexual offense into three tiers. Offenders in different tiers would be under different restrictions, based on the nature of the offense -- an intoxicated college student who exposes himself or herself to another adult in a moment of poor judgement, for example, would be registered but would have less restrictions than a violent sexual predator.

The more violent offender would have to report his or her whereabouts more often and would be on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for a longer period of time.

Currently, all sex offenders, regardless of the crime committed, are prohibited from living within 2,000 feet of places children frequent, including daycare centers, schools, libraries and playgrounds.

"We're putting those all in one class and we find it hard to enforce," Krukow said. "Before the 2,000-foot (rule) was held up (after appeals challenges), I had every sex offender registered. Most of them were employed. With this 2,000 foot law, we basically caused people to lie, move out and go underground."

The most serious offenders would be subject to lifetime registration and the 2,000-foot residency restriction would still apply.

"Being more selective about which offenders are subject to the 2000-foot rule is likely to foster increased compliance with the registration requirements," Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said. "Under the current law, many sex offenders have stopped reporting their location because it is so difficult to find housing that does not violate the residency requirements."

Under the proposed changes supported by Krukow and others, exclusionary zones would be established and enforced. Any offender who committed an offense against a minor would not be allowed to loiter within 300 feet of schools, daycare facilities, or any other place intended primarily for use by minors.

Offenders couldn't work or volunteer at a school or childcare facility or be in a school vehicle without permission. They also couldn't work at fairs or carnivals, arcades, or places that supply services to dependent adults.

"We believe it makes more sense to focus resources on what sex offenders are doing while they are awake than on where they can sleep," Miller said in his statement.

The offenders also would be required to supply more information to the county sheriff, including passport information, Internet identifiers, professional licensing information and vehicles the offender owns or uses.

Juvenile courts could waive registry requirements for underage offenders, but juveniles who were at least 14 would have mandatory registration if their offense was committed by force or threat of serious violence, by rendering the victim unconscious or by involuntarily drugging the victim.

"There always is more work to do to prevent sex offenses," Miller said. "We will monitor the effectiveness of this statute if it is enacted. We will continue to review all our laws regarding sex offenders, and to advocate other proposals in this realm, including measures relating to child pornography, indecent exposure, and enticement of children for sexual exploitation."