TX. Senate OKs Bill For Sex Offender Notification In Schools
Senate OKs Bill For Sex Offender Notification In Schools April 12, 2007 07:37 PM EDT The Texas Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would require law enforcement to notify a school about an enrolled sex offender within 24 hours. Students who are registered sex offenders would be placed in a program like the one offered by the Austin Independent School District's Alternative Learning Center before being placed in a regular classroom. "You want to be aware of your child," said parent Loretta Neville. "You want them to be aware of who they are interacting with. I feel it's a safety issue." An October incident at Reagan High School motivated lawmakers to propose the legislation. Nathan Manuel Mendoza, 18, was accused of attacking his teacher, holding scissors to her throat and threatening to rape her. The school did not know Mendoza was a registered sex offender until after he attacked the Reagan teacher. "Ninety percent of the time, as long as the school district and the teacher know there's the student in the classroom, there are no problems," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano. "You're more aware of it. You recognize it. You make adjustments if necessary, but the not knowing is the frightening part." http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=6363808&nav=0s3d