NJ Legislation Bars Sex Offenders Surfing

New Jersey (dbtechno) - The state of New Jersey has become one of the first states to pass legislation that will prohibit some convicted sex offenders from using the Internet.

Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed the legislation into effect on Thursday December 27th, and in so doing made New Jersey into one of the most restrictive states in the area of access to the Internet for felons that have been convicted of molesting or abusing others sexually.

The only other states with regulations such as New Jersey are Nevada and Florida.

There is no law in use at the federal level that restricts or precludes sex offenders from using a computer. The new law in New Jersey applies to those that have used a computer to help them with their original sexual offense. It can be used to prohibit anyone that is on lifetime supervision for sexual offenses from going online.

Use of a computer for strict employment or job search is the only exception under the New Jersey law.

Linda D. Greenstein sponsored the new law. Mrs. Greenstein is a NJ lawmaker. The new law is an attempt to update the provisions of Megan’s Law. Megan’s Law requires sex offenders to maintain contact and register with the state after they have been released.

“We did not know back when we first enacted Megan’s Law that we would have a time come when a person who is a sex offender could hide or use a false name, and be able to victimize or trick unwitting victims,” said Mrs. Greenstein.

“We cannot give persons who are convicted of sex crimes the method to hurt people, or the ability to use anonymity that is found on the Internet,” stated Mrs. Greenstein. The new law requires that people who are convicted of sexual offenses will have to have equipment installed to monitor their computer usage.