LITTLE ROCK — Convicted sex offenders deemed to be a “Level 2” danger of being a repeat offender would not be allowed on school grounds under a bill recommended by the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
Without dissent, the panel sent House Bill 1010 by Rep. Donna Hutchinson, R-Bella Vista, to the House floor.
Anyone convicted of a felony sexual offense is assessed by the state under a system that rates the future danger they pose on a scale of one to four, with four being the most dangerous. Level 3 and 4 offenders are already barred from school grounds.
Hutchinson told the committee that Level 2 offenders, their spouses and sympathizers have called and asked her not to pursue the bill, saying people can change and have sometimes “found Jesus.” She urged the panel members to be cautious and realize that not all turnarounds are real.
“I think Jesus can change lives. Unfortunately, he doesn’t turn us lime green when he does” to show it, Hutchinson said.
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