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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17,2018
Governor Mary Fallin Signs Bill Barring Sex Offenders from Living Near Their Victims
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary
Fallin today signed a bill that helps protect victims from their sex offenders.
Fallin signed House Bill (HB) 1124, which prohibits
sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet and loitering within 1,000 feet from their victims’ homes. Under
current Oklahoma law, sex offenders are banned from living near places like
schools and playgrounds, but it does not apply to a sex offender living
near his or her adult victim.
The measure passed unanimously in
both chambers: 92-0 in the House of Representatives and 44-0 in the Senate.
HB 1124, named the “Justice for
Danyelle Act of 2018,” takes effect Nov. 1. It is named
after Danyelle Dyer, of Bristow, whose attacker moved next door to her last
year.
Rep. Kyle Hilbert and Sen. James
Leewright filed the legislation. In the meantime, Dyer and her family went to
court and obtained a protective order, and the offender was ordered to move.
“Victims shouldn’t have to worry about their sex offenders moving in next
door,” said Fallin. “I appreciate Representative Hilbert and Senator Leewright
for responding quickly to this situation and coming up with a logical solution
to this issue. If we have laws keeping sex offenders from parks and day care
centers, it’s common sense that they shouldn’t be allowed near their victims.”
"I am incredibly proud of the courage
Danyelle Dyer showed to bring this issue to light,” said Hilbert. “Thanks to her
advocacy, no victims in Oklahoma will ever endure what her and her
family went through ever again. Thank you Governor Fallin for signing
HB 1124 and standing up for the rights of victims across the state.”
“Through her bravery to come forward, Danyelle helped bring
this dangerous loophole to our attention as well as other states
that also haven’t addressed this needed zone of safety,”
said Leewright. “Her advocacy will help protect others from
continuing to be victimized emotionally on a daily basis knowing
their attacker is so close.”
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 Governor Mary Fallin signs legislation, including House Bill 1124, on Tuesday.
Web: www.governor.ok.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GovernorMaryFallin
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GovMaryFallin
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