Public hearing set for Monday night on sex offender bill

The Iowa Legislature has scheduled a public hearing Monday night on proposed changes to the state's sex offender laws.The hearing on Senate File 340/House File 711, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the House chamber.

Key lawmakers have said the legislation will roll back parts of a state law prohibiting sex offenders convicted of crimes against children from living within 2,000 feet of a school or day care. Under the proposal, only the most serious sex offenders would be subject to the 2,000-foot rule.

The proposal would prohibit all registered sex offenders from visiting or working in exclusionary zones where groups of children gather, such as schools or parks.

Offenders on the state's registry also would be subject to more strict reporting requirements under the measure.

Those wishing to speak at the hearing should sign up in advance by calling the Legislative Information Office at 515-281-5129.