Panel OKs Hatch bill aimed at sex offenders

The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a sex offender bill to place more responsibility on convicted sex offenders to register with local authorities and notify those authorities when they move or change jobs.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, was also supported by Ed Smart, father of Elizabeth Smart.

"For too long, too many sex offenders have been treated like petty criminals," Hatch said in a news release. "As a result, too many children and too many lives have been lost. These pedophiles prey on our children and will continue to do so unless stopped."

Hatch's bill, S1086, puts the responsibility on registered sex offenders to ensure their information is up to date. If they do not comply with the law, they will go to jail.

Under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, sex offenders and predators will be required to register in person versus mailing a letter. States will also be given money to outfit sex offenders with tracking devices.

"We have a responsibility to keep our children safe and make people accountable for their actions," Smart said. "Right now you really don't know who's coming into your state and how bad they are. This bill creates consistency."