Sex offenders would disclose their Web addresses under proposed legislation

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Registered sex offenders would be required to disclose to law enforcement their online names, email addresses and social networking sites under a measure moved forward by lawmakers Wednesday to prevent use of the Internet for crimes.

Sen. Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) said she introduced the legislation after learning that the killer of two San Diego County teenagers had a sexually explicit profile on MySpace using a false name.

‘It does give sex offenders reason to think before engaging in predatory practices on the Internet,’ Runner said of her legislation, SB 57.

Those convicted of certain sex offenses already have to register with the local law enforcement agency where they settle after prison, and Runner said the additional information on Internet use would not be a burden to add to the registration.

State prison officials already monitor the computer use of about 8,750 sex offender parolees, according to an analysis by legislative staff.

The measure was sent to the Assembly for action on a 32-2 vote. Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) voted against the bill after raising questions about how the state would cover the cost of local agencies’ enforcing the measure.

-- Patrick McGreevy