State may soon require convicted sex offenders to provide email addresses, screen names to TBI

(NASHVILLE, TN), March 11, 2008– The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville) that would require convicted sex offenders to provide their screen name to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).  Woodson said the bill would crack down on convicted sex offenders and better protect children online.

“These predators know where children are,” said Woodson.  “One of 33 teens have received an aggressive sexual contact within the last year.  This bill will serve as an effective tool for law enforcement to strengthen Tennessee’s child protection laws.”

The legislation, SB 2594, would require that convicted sex offenders provide email addresses, chat names, instant message screen names or any other online electronic communications information to the TBI as part of their routine and annual information collection requirements.  The TBI would be authorized to transmit that information electronically to companies that provide pre-screening services.  The bill would also provide stiff penalties and/or incarceration for the falsification or omission in providing this information to the TBI. 

Studies show teens are willing to meet with strangers, with 16 percent of teens considering meeting someone they have talked to online.  Eight percent have actually met someone they only knew online.  There are 600,000 registered sex offenders in the U.S. 

“Hopefully, this bill will deter convicted sex offenders from using communication technologies to contact children via the Web,” Woodson concluded.  “I am pleased the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved it.”

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