House GOP offers homeland security plans

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- House Republicans are pushing legislation to require state universities and flight schools to track student visas.

On Monday, the party also urged passage of tougher anti-terrorism measures and stronger homeland security laws. The measures were part of a GOP crime package that would also make it a felony to dilute drugs or ignore law enforcement road directions.

Rep. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, wants to require schools to report when students from other countries drop out. He's worried that terrorists might slip into the country in the guise of students.

The federal government already requires such reports, but Crowell said the state also needs the information, which would be passed to the attorney general's office or other state agency.

Other security measures call for extending the death penalty to terrorists convicted of killing people and strengthening criminal penalties for spreading computer viruses.

"We want to make sure the loopholes are closed," said Rep. Carl Bearden, R-St. Charles. Other elements of the GOP crime package include making it illegal to persuade a child into a car or building for criminal conduct.