Bill may expand sex offender list

INDIANAPOLIS -- A bill that advanced out of the Senate Tuesday would expand the state's sex offender list to include those twice convicted of possessing child pornography.\nBill sponsor Sen. Jeff Drozda, R-Westfield, said people who are convicted of having child pornography often end up carrying out crimes against children. The Senate unanimously voted to move the bill forward.\n"It's an issue that is becoming more and more prevalent," Drozda said.\nSeveral other bills also seek to expand the Indiana Sex and Violent Offender Directory.\nSen. David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said making a link between possessing child pornography and hurting children is "sort of pushing the envelope." But he said the connection was strong enough for senators to vote for the bill.\nThe Indiana Civil Liberties Union has opposed the legislation, saying it would punish thoughts instead of crimes.\nAnother bill that unanimously passed the Senate Tuesday would periodically distribute copies of the sex offender list to neighborhood associations, in addition to schools and other organizations that already receive an updated list every six months.\nLong, who heads the Senate's committee on criminal issues, said the legislation could help keep communities safe, especially in areas where neighborhoods are well-organized.\n"That can be very effective," he said.\nThe two bills move to the House for consideration, but the Senate might still consider other bills that would further expand the list.\nOne bill would add to the registry people convicted of murdering someone under the age of 18. Another would add people convicted of murder, voluntary manslaughter or battery against a child resulting in serious injury or death.\nThe bills were introduced after the bodies of three teenage boys were found buried in concrete under a convicted murderer's house in December of 2003. Some relatives of the victims have suggested creating laws that would track the location of convicted murderers.\nLong, who heads the committee that will deal with the bills, said the best way to track murderers would be a national system of permanent probation, which would allow states to follow convicted killers across state lines.\n"The sex offender list will not provide the type of oversight we're talking about," Long said.\nHowever, he was open to the idea of discussing the proposals.\n"Because it does deal with children, it's worth talking about," he said.