Rep Hovey: Close Loophole On Sex Offenders

State Representative DebraLee Hovey (R-Monroe, Newtown) has announced she will propose legislation to prevent municipalities from allowing registered sex offenders to work at election polls located in schools. As a member of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, she will pursue having the legislation raised through the committee when the next legislation session convenes in February.

During the political season, Rep Hovey has learned that a registered sex offender was allegedly employed to work a polling location at a school in Connecticut, while classes were in session.

Rep Hovey noted that while registered sex offenders have the right to vote, they should not be allowed to spend extended time on school property. The legislation could include complete prohibition of sex offenders from schools during school hours or require substantial supervision if a town chooses to hire one to work a polling location at a school.

“The fact that registered sex offenders are allowed to work polling locations at schools brings to light a serious loophole in our laws,” said Rep Hovey. “When the next legislative session convenes, I will introduce legislation to ensure there are safeguards to prevent such individuals this kind of access to school buildings when school is in session. This is a common sense measure to protect children and I look forward to working with my colleagues for its passage.”