State Senator Kevin
Witkos, R-Canton, today thanked Governor M.
Jodi Rell for her leadership following the signing of
a bill he sponsored requiring the state Department of
Public Safety (DPS) to notify local superintendents
of schools with information relating to the release
of a convicted sex offender who resides, or intends
to reside, in a community where their school is located.
With her signature the new law will go into effect on
September 1st.
“It is fitting that this new law will go into
effect just as the new school year is set to begin,
and I thank Gov. Rell for her support of this common
sense measure that will ultimately help ensure safety
in and around school grounds,” said Sen.
Witkos.
SB 533, An Act Concerning Notification of the Release
of a Registered Sexual Offender into the Community
unanimously passed both the Senate and the House of
Representatives. In fact, it was the final bill passed
by the House when the 2009 regular session of the General
Assembly adjourned on June 3rd. The bill requires the
Department of Public Safety to notify the superintendent
of schools in the community where a sex offender lives
or plans to live whenever the registrant is released.
The notice must be made by email and include the same
registry information available to the public through
the internet. The information must include the registrant's
name, address, date of birth, race, and general description.
It must also include the crime he or she committed that
and the date he or she was convicted.
“Parents should never have to worry about the
safety of their children while they are at school. That
is why it is important that we give our local administrators
all the tools they need to enhance the security of their
schools,” said Sen. Witkos.
For further information please contact
John Titsworth at 860-240-8843 or 860-877-3543
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