Texas Sends Message to Sex Offenders, Can't Live Here

Many Texas Cities Limit Where Sex Offenders Can Live

TEXAS - Across the State of Texas, legislation is being proposed and passed to restrict where registered sex offenders can live. This legislation will or does require registered sex offenders to reside only in locations that are not within a certain distance from places children frequent, such as public parks, child care centers and schools.

Currently, Texas state law adopted in 1994 under the Child Safety Zone requires all registered sex offenders to reside in locations at least 1,000 feet away from any location where children congregate in public, such as those listed above. In 2003 the law was amended to include a restriction of movement inside the Child Safety Zone as well, providing exemptions to this rule for certain approved activities, such as parole reporting.

However, Texas does allow cities and municipalities to enact regulations that meet or exceed this 1,000 foot distance.

Because of this, some Texas cities, have taken steps to further reduce the areas in which sex offenders can legally register to live. Many cities have enacted a 2,000 foot rule, instead of the state's 1,000 foot requirement.

The Midland Reporter Telegram (MRT) indicates that, in Plano, Texas, this means less than 75% of the city meets the criteria for a sex offender to claim residence and properly register with authorities. In Dallas, even less of the city is available for sex offenders to make a home, with only 15% of the city meeting the registered sex offender residence requirements. (Retrieved May 9, 2007 from: http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/ news.cfm?
newsid=18317434&BRD=2288&
PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6)

Midland, Texas joins the ever-growing list of cities considering legislation to restrict where a registered sex offender can live. In the same article, the MRT also reported that there was growing concern in the City of Midland that due to tougher residential requirements on other, larger cities in Texas, many sex offenders may choose to relocate to the smaller Texas cities with less stringent residence guidelines.