SENATOR COLLINS COSPONSORS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENDERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins is an original cosponsor for the "Protecting Children from Sexual Offenders Act,"bi-partisan legislation designed to strengthen laws to protect children against convicted sexual offenders. The legislation would improve missing child reporting requirements, increase the chance of recovering missing children and add additional requirements to the sex offender registration requirements.

"This legislation will increase the number of tools available to law enforcement in investigating cases involving missing and exploited children," said Senator Collins. "I am proud that the state of Maine has a similar comprehensive law that reduces the likelihood of sexual offense to children. This bill will serve to provide even more security to our children in Maine, and will ensure that children across the nation benefit from the same protections."

Federal, State, and local law enforcement were called upon to investigate more than 12,000 non-family abductions in the U.S. in 1999. The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database is a critical means of cooperation in this effort, among the 16,000 Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies. Currently, registration requirements vary by States, and a number of states rely on sexual offenders to self-report. "Minimum uniform requirements will be essential in keeping America''s children safe" noted Collins.

Senator Collins, who is the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Children and Families is joined by Subcommittee Chair, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT).