[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 63 (Wednesday, May 8, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              MEGAN'S LAW

  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, late last evening H.R. 2137 passed the 
House, I think, unanimously. It is Megan's law, plus some other 
additions to help protect our Nation's children from sexual predators. 
The vote was 418 to 0. Known as Megan's law, it strengthens the 
existing law to require all 50 States to notify communities of the 
presence of convicted sex offenders who might pose a danger to 
children.
  In 1994 the crime bill was lobbied not to require States to take such 
steps. Since that time, 49 States have enacted sex offender 
registration laws, and 30 have adopted community notification 
provisions, but not all States have taken the necessary steps to 
require such notification. And this is a tragedy in the making.
  It seems to me that we can prevent this from happening and we can 
take action now. I do not know any reason to hesitate. So I am going to 
ask consent when I finish that we bring it up and pass the bill.
  But every parent in America knows the fear and the doubts he or she 
suffers worrying about the safety of their children. Parents understand 
that their children cannot know how truly evil some people are. They 
know that no matter how hard they try, they cannot be with their 
children every second of the day. A second is all it takes for tragedy 
to strike. We have an obligation to ensure that those who committed 
such crimes will not be able to do so again. This is a limited measure, 
but an absolutely necessary one.
  Again, sort of following along the President's remarks at his press 
conference, it seems to me this would be an area where there would not 
be any objection. I know when this bill comes up it will be unanimous. 
We would like to let the American people know that we can respond 
immediately. The bill is here.

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