Bonacic: Senate & Assembly Agree On Budget Funds For Sex Offender Gps Tracking Pilot Program

State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mount Hope) announced today that the Senate and Assembly have agreed on a budget plan that includes $500,000 for the GPS monitoring of sex offenders. The funding will be used to establish a GPS pilot program within the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

"This is a step in the right direction," stated Senator Bonacic. "We need the best possible protection for our children and families from sex offenders who are living in our communities."

Senator Bonacic said that his legislation, Senate bill 4656-B, would require statewide GPS monitoring of level three sex offenders, who are labeled the most likely to repeat sex crimes. The measure passed the Senate unanimously in January of this year.

"While I was pleased the funding for a pilot program was included, more needs to be done. I believe we need this monitoring statewide, as there are approximately 5,597 of the most dangerous sex offenders throughout this State," continued Senator Bonacic.

The American Probation and Parole Association strongly supports the use of GPS monitoring technology and will attest to its efficacy as a deterrent and effective control tool. "We need to protect our children and families with effective tools such as GPS monitoring. I am pleased this program and funding is in the Legislature's budget," concluded Senator Bonacic.