Carter pushes bill to restrict sex offenders' Internet use

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jan 12, 2008 at 7:13 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 19, 2008 at 4:28 PM EST

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is urging state lawmakers to pass a bill that would make it illegal for convicted sex offenders to use social networking Web sites frequented by children, such as MySpace.com.

The bill carries tougher penalties for sex offenders who contact children via such sites, said Carter, who urged support for the bill last week during visits around the state.

"I'm a parent of three. It's hard to know who they're contacting online," Carter said Thursday during a trip to Jeffersonville.

He said four other states have enacted similar laws. The Indiana House will hold a hearing on the legislation this week.

If the bill passes the General Assembly, it would be enforced by county prosecutors, possibly through sting operations or in response to complaints from parents, he said.

Proving a violation could be easier than gaining a conviction under current laws on sexual solicitation or deviate conduct, Carter said.

The proposal would make it a crime punishable by six months to three years in prison for someone listed on the state sex offender registry to use a social networking Web site. If the person contacted a child on the site, the penalty could be two to eight years.

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