Iowa Nixes Sex Offenders From Libraries Unless Prior Approval Granted

It appears Iowa libraries may have become more safe thanks to a new state law regarding sex offenders. (Unlike NJ.)

Here are excerpts from the media:

Bond Package Concludes 2009 Session
by Russ Mitchell
The Daily Reporter (Spencer, IA)
2 May 2009

....

[Gov. Chet] Culver and the local lawmakers agreed on improvements to Iowa's sex offender monitoring laws. The governor called it a tougher, smarter way of dealing with the issue. [Assistant Republican Leader David] Johnson called it "probably the best piece of bipartisan legislation that came out of the session."

"There are significant changes in the sex offender law and they were changes that needed to be done," Johnson said.

The measure establishes a 1-2-3 tier system and overhauls a state law banning sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of places children gather. It would instead prohibit offenders from being in those facilities without prior approval.

Under the new law, only the worst offenders, in tier 3, would still be subject to the 2,000-foot living restrictions. They also would also be subject to the Iowa Sex Offender Registry requirements for life. The registry status for lesser offenders would be allowed to expire in 10 or 20 years, depending on the nature of their offense.

"It was something strongly supported by (Clay County) Sheriff (Randy) Krukow and it was unanimously approved in the Senate and overwhelmingly approved in the House," Johnson said.

....