Dateline Sacramento – George and Sharon Runner, authors of Jessica’s Law, passed in 2006, today pushed back against a decision by the California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation to stop enforcing residency restrictions statewide on Jessica’s Law.The original law prohibited all sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools and of parks that children patronize.
However, yesterday the state Dept. of Corrections said they no longer will impose or enforce the broad restrictions.
While sex offenders whose crimes involved children under 14 are forbidden to live within a half-mile of schools, for other offenders, their natters will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
“We are disappointed by the Corrections Department’s sweeping decision to stop enforcing the people’s will,” the Runners said.
“The residency restrictions in Jessica’s Law help keep our neighborhoods and children safe. They provide peace of mind for families.”
The Runners noted that Gov. Brown supported Jessica’s Law when he was state Attorney General.
Now the Runners are unhappy with Mr. Brown because they did not believe “his administration would go so far beyond what the court required.”
The Runners pledged to reintroduce legislation granting discretion to local governments.
“We urge the Legislature to act on it immediately,” they said.
Knowing sex offenders might challenge Jessica’s Law, George Runner, a member of the state Board of Equalization, introduced Senate Bill 54 in 2010 to give local governments increased flexibility regarding residency requirements. State Sen. Sharon Runner took authorship of the bill in 2011. It was subsequently killed by the Legislature. The California Supreme Court decision does not provide local governments the flexibility to craft a more appropriate alternative for their communities.
Mr. Runner and Sen. Runner, are the authors of the voter-approved Prop. 83, o Jessica’s Law. In addition to mandatory residency restrictions for sex offenders, the law includes significant public safety reforms such as strengthened sexually violent predator laws and increased parole terms. The state Supreme Court’s decision this month only relates to the residency requirements in Jessica’s Law.
Both Runners continue to stand behind the package of reforms they believe have made California’s communities safer and are opposed to any efforts to undermine them.
George and Sharon Runner are the first husband and wife in California history to have served concurrently in the Legislature. He is Vice Chair of the state Board of Equalization. She represents the 21st District in the state Senate.
Mr. Duran may be contacted at David.Duran@boe.ca.gov
