Evers vetoes allowing sex offenders to live near schools

By: Associated Press//November 25, 2019//

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers has vetoed a bill that would have allowed violent sex offenders to live within 1,500 feet of schools and other places where children are likely to be present.

Former Gov. Scott Walker vetoed the same law change in 2018.

The intention was to give counties more leeway over placing sexually violent people who are on supervised release.

Evers says in his veto message on Friday that he objects to weakening protections in the law keeping sexually violent offenders away from schools, day cares and similar places. He says providing safe spaces for children is one of the central responsibilities of society.

Supporters argued urban areas in particular needed more leeway over finding housing for offenders in areas where the 1,500-foot restriction is too limiting.

Sexually violent offenders are a small subset of the larger population of registered sex offenders.

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