CO: Tapia Seeks Listing for Sex-Offense Suspects.

January 25, 2002

By Tom McAvoy

CO: Tapia Seeks Listing for Sex-Offense Suspects

DENVER - Rapists and pedophiles found innocent by reason of insanity would be listed on Colorado's sex offender registry when they are released from state hospital forensics custody, under a bill proposed this year.

The Criminal Justice Committee voted 11-0 Thursday for Rep. Abel Tapia's House Bill 1019, which would list sex offenders released from Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo on the registry the same as if they were convicted of the crimes.

The Pueblo Democrat amended his bill to make sure the general public, as well as victims, law enforcement agencies and mental health centers, have access to the state's registry of sex offenders.

"They are just as dangerous or more dangerous than other sex offenders to the community," Deputy Attorney General Don Quick said, testifying for the bill on behalf of Attorney General Ken Salazar.




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Source: © 2002 The Pueblo Chieftain