Gov. Tim Kaine signed legislation Monday that will greatly increase punishments for sex offenders in the Commonwealth, said a spokesperson for Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
Twelve related bills were signed into law, according to a press release issued jointly by Kaine and McDonnell's offices.
The bills implement tougher mandatory sentences and a requirement that some registered sex offenders wear electronic tracking devices. Those convicted of a first sex offense involving children under the age of 13 must be sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison. A second conviction will result in life in prison.
"Those who harm innocent children have no place in our society, and this legislation makes every child in Virginia safer," McDonnell said according to the press release.
The bills also make improvements and statutory changes to the Commonwealth's Sex Offender Registry laws and change the screening process for sexually violent offenders. This provision will correct entries that are currently incorrect or incomplete in the Sex Offender Registry.
The new legislation allows for the civil commitment of sexually violent predators and establishes an Office of Sexually Violent Predator Services under the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse, according to the release.
McDonnell championed several of the bills, according to the release.
State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, also introduced one of the bills related to changes in the Virginia Sex Offender Registry. One of these changes would allow an additional 1,100 sex offenders to be added to the database each year and would make the registry easier to access.
Deeds said he also sponsored the 1994 bill that created the registry.
Del. David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, said he also supported the bills.
"I supported almost every single bill, if not every one ... I think they all will be good to help protect the public," Toscano said.
The signing ceremony occurred during National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Several law makers and law enforcement officers were present at the signing.
"The bills are good public policy, and the governor has always been a strong proponent of protecting Virginia's families and Virginia's children," Kaine spokesperson Kevin Hall said. "These new tools will allow law enforcement to punish those who pose a threat to children here in the Commonwealth."
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