DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa Senate granted final approval of a bill meant to stop the release of sexually violent predators.
Lawmakers unanimously approved the measure Wednesday, sending it to Gov. Terry Branstad.
The bill allows those convicted of a violent sexual offense as a juvenile to be sent to a civil containment unit for sexually violent predators upon release from prison. Officials now don’t consider such juvenile convictions when making adult release decisions.
Cedar Rapids Sen. Robert Hogg says those who commit sex offenses as juveniles could be dangerous as adults. He says this was true in the case of Kathlynn Shepard, who authorities say was abducted and killed last year by Michael Klunder.
Under the proposal, Klunder could have been kept in civil containment for past offenses instead of being freed.
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