Shh! Georgia’s sex offender law changed last week
Much-needed overhaul of Draconian law signed by governor
It’s gotten surprisingly little attention, but much of Georgia’s harsh and arguably unconstitutional sex offender law was effectively tossed out last Friday.
That’s when Gov. Sonny Perdue signed House Bill 571, the near-total rewrite of the 2006 state law authored by Christian Coalition head-turned-politician, Rep. Jerry Keen, R-St. Simon’s. HB 571, in turn, was introduced and shepherded through the Legislature by new House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge.
So, as of Friday, what’s changed? Well…
?
- Sex offenders can’t be forced from their homes or apartments if a park or daycare opens nearby.
?
- Judges now have discretion to exempt some registered sex offenders from restrictions on where they’re allowed to work.
?
- Sex offenders are no longer be prohibited from taking part in such church activities as choir and Bible study.
?
- Homeless sex offenders no longer risk going to prison for failing to have a fixed address.
?
- Folks won’t be added to the sex-offender registry for a misdemeanor.
The new law also — and this is a biggie — allows judges to remove convicted sex offenders from the state registry after they’ve completed their sentence.