Panel Urges Changes In Where Sex Offenders Can Live

A law enforcement panel is recommending that California voters repeal residency restrictions for sex offenders because too many of them are listed as transient, making them more difficult to monitor.

Jessica’s Law, passed by 70 percent of California voters in 2006, prohibits released sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park.

Click here to see a list of sex offenders living in the Coachella Valley

The draft report says the prohibition means there are few places the offenders can legally live in many communities. That forces many of them to say they are homeless, making it difficult for agents to track them.

The report, obtained by The Associated Press, estimates that 2,100 sex offenders list themselves as transient.

Corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton said Thursday the draft is being reviewed by the governor’s office before its official release.