Dateline Sacramento – State Sen. Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) has called upon the California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide insight into its decision to terminate enforcement of the uniform sex offender residency restrictions under Jessica’s Law.
“I was alarmed by the sweeping decision to stop enforcing the people’s will as expressed in Jessica’s Law,” said Ms. Runner. “The residency restrictions provide important peace of mind for California’s families.”
Ms. Runner specifically demanded the release of an unpublished opinion from state Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris, used by the Dept. of Corrections to justify the policy change.
In a letter to Corrections Secretary Jeffrey Beard, Ms. Runner asserted that “the public, the press and the Legislature have a right to a transparent explanation of the Department’s position. The law that your Department seeks to preemptively repeal was approved by the more than 70 percent of California voters who supported Jessica’s Law (Prop. 83, 2006). Prop. 83 enjoyed the support of then-Attorney General Brown.
“While it is a matter of record that your Department has recommended the repeal of the 2,000 feet restriction, it must be clear to you that the authority to do so cannot be found in an unpublished opinion from Attorney General Harris. It is indeed extraordinary that the Department has rebuffed requests for release of the opinion by asserting attorney-client privilege. To restate the obvious: the public, the press and the Legislature have a right to a transparent explanation of the Department’s position.
“Most Californians believe in rehabilitation and redemption but few would advocate allowing sex offenders to reside across the street from a school or park where children play. For these reasons, voters embraced Jessica’s Law. When it is necessary to amend laws approved by the people the procedures are clear. Unilateral action by your Department usurps the authority of the voters, the Legislature and the Supreme Court. Please rethink your position and confer with the Legislature before implementing changes to Jessica’s Law.”
Ms. Runner is working on legislation that will clarify confusion caused by the decision of the state Supreme Court regarding enforcement of sex offenders in San Diego County. She is working on building a coalition of support for a legislative remedy that she says keeps the integrity of Jessica’s Law intact.
Ms. Runner authored voter-approved Jessica’s Law along with her husband, Board of Equalization Vice Chair George Runner, in 2006. In addition to mandatory residency restrictions for sex offenders, the law includes many important public safety reforms such as strengthened sexually violent predator laws and increased parole terms. The Supreme Court’s decision in early March and the recent Dept. of Corrections policy change only relates to the residency requirements in Jessica’s Law.
Ms. Runner, whose district includes the Antelope Valley, Victor Valley and portions of the Santa Clarita Valley, may be contacted at http://district21.cssrc.us/.
