For Release: Dec. 11, 2006
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Virginia First State to Partner With MySpace.com in Requiring E-mail Registration of Sex Offenders
First Official Proposal from McDonnell’s Youth Internet Safety Task Force
RICHMOND - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell today announced that he will propose legislation to require convicted sex offenders in the Commonwealth to register their e-mail addresses and Instant Messaging (IM) identities with Virginia’s recently revamped Sex Offender Registry.
This decision comes after a discussion in Attorney General Bob McDonnell’s Youth Internet Safety Task Force. A member who represents MySpace.com told the group about the popular website’s initiative seeking federal legislation that would require convicted sex offenders to register all of their email addresses in a national sex offender database. The group instantly supported the idea but added the additional requirement of instant messaging identities.
Today’s announcement makes the Commonwealth the first state to propose such an addition and it is a result of the partnership formed between MySpace.com, other members of the Task Force and the Commonwealth. State Senator Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover), a member of the Task Force, is the anticipated patron of the legislation.
By creating a database of email addresses and IM names, and allowing social networking sites such as MySpace.com to access that database, law enforcement will be able to help such sites monitor users. When MySpace.com, or any other social networking site, comes across the email address or IM name of a registered sex offender they will now have the ability to both delete and/or block these individuals from accessing their site.
Speaking about the proposed legislation Attorney General McDonnell noted, “We require all sex offenders to register their physical and mailing addresses in Virginia, but in the 21st century it is just as critical that they register any email addresses or IM screen names. This has become readily apparent during the meetings of our Youth Internet Safety Task Force, and it is time we take this step. MySpace.com has led the way in coming up with this proactive solution, and Virginia will take the lead in being the first to propose the measure on a state level. I hope other social networking sites will join MySpace.com in implementing the software necessary to accomplish this goal.”
(Click here for the statement from MySpace.)
McDonnell continued by emphasizing why it is so important this addition be made at the state level, “It is critical that states take this step as the vast majority of prosecutions and convictions for sex offenders take place at the state level. This is not a foolproof approach, as we all fully realize how easy it is to get new email addresses. But by requiring registration, and by making the penalties for failure to register the same as those for failure to register physical and mailing addresses, we will take another positive step towards protecting children online.”
Today’s announcement is part of an overall package of legislation, education programs, and other proposals that will be the result of the Attorney General’s Youth Internet Safety Task Force. The Task Force will announce its full package of proposals on December 20th at a press conference in Richmond. Click here for more information about the Youth Internet Safety Task Force.
The Virginia Sex Offender Registry was recently upgraded significantly as part of Attorney General Bob McDonnell’s 2006 legislative package. The changes were based on an exhaustive study of sex offender laws conducted by the Virginia State Crime Commission. Click here for more information about the registry.
