Senators back amendment targeting past sex offenders

Proposed amendment targets past sex offenders

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Senators endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment Tuesday that could undo a Missouri Supreme Court ruling and restore the names and addresses of more than 4,300 past sex offenders to a state registry. They also voted to require sex offenders to stay in their homes on Halloween. The Senate's effort to increase the tracking and public notification of people convicted of decades-old sex offenses came just moments after a registered sex offender urged a House committee to use restraint in imposing new restrictions. Aside from registering their names, addresses and other information, sex offenders also are prohibited under Missouri law from living or loitering near schools and child care centers. An amendment added to a Senate bill Tuesday would require registered sex offenders to avoid all "Halloween-related contact with children" by remaining in their homes, with the external lights off, between 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 31. They also would have to post a sign stating they had no candy or treats.

-- From staff, wire reports