This system, better known as Megan's Law, is named for a New Jersey child who was raped and killed by a convicted sex offender who lived in her neighborhood.

Megan's Law is designed to protect families in three important ways: First by assuring that families have access to information in the sex offender registry -- giving parents the ability to identify nearby threats to their children. Second, the registry serves as a good law enforcement tool, since collecting valuable information like fingerprints and DNA increases the ability for police and prosecutors to solve new crimes. And, finally, because they know they are being monitored, registration can help deter offenders from committing new crimes.

Based on the severity of the crimes committed and the likelihood of a repeat offense, offenders are classified in Ohio law as "sexually oriented offenders," "habitual sex offenders" or "sexual predators." These classifications determine the terms of the offender's registration and whether or not they are subject to community notification procedures.

Low-level "sexually-oriented offenders," for instance, are not currently subject to community notification, though they must still register with local law enforcement. As the sponsor of Senate Bill 3 from the last General Assembly, which required juvenile sex offenders to register, I am proud of the work we have done to strengthen Ohio's Megan's Law. But we have found there is more work to do.

In September, six months after his release from prison, a man classified as a low-level sex offender kidnapped, raped and murdered a 14-year-old Wayne County girl. Because he was classified as a lower-level offender for previously raping a 17-year old, the community was not notified of his presence.

This case, as well as court challenges to the system over the years, brought interested parties back to the table to look at ways to further improve sex offender and community notification laws. In September, Governor Taft ordered a review of Megan's Law by establishing the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Task Force. As a result of recommendations made by the Task Force, Senator Jeff Jacobson, who sponsored Ohio's original Megan's Law, has introduced Senate Bill 5 to enact some of those recommendations into law.

Among the changes being considered is strengthening the classification system to reflect the fact that all sex offenders present a danger to society and to ensure that information about them should be open to the public. The committee that will review this bill plans to begin hearings as soon as next week.

To ensure that law enforcement is able to comply with Megan's Law, the Senate is also considering Senate Bill 9. This legislation would allow sheriffs to charge a registration fee for sex offenders in an effort to help defray the growing administrative and executive costs associated with the registration and community notification procedures.

I am confident that through the passage of these key bills, we can build on the progress we have made and better protect Ohio families, especially our children, from dangerous sex offenders.

As always, I welcome your questions, comments and input on state government issues. Please feel free to contact me by mail (State Senator Jay Hottinger, Ohio Senate, Statehouse, Columbus, OH 43215), by email (sd31@mailr.sen.state.oh.us) or by phone (614-466-5838).