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Bill would reinstate Michigan’s ban on sex offenders near schools

A state Senator wants to reinstate Michigan’s ban on sex offenders near schools.

In April, a federal judge struck down the law that said registered sex offenders must stay at least a thousand feet away from schools. He said the rule was unconstitutionally vague because it’s too difficult for people to figure out where the zones begin and end.

Republican state Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) says he’ll introduce a bill on Monday to clarify those issues and put the law back in place.

“It was an important law,” said Jones. “I don’t care if it’s somebody that’s a flasher or somebody that’s a pedophile, I don’t want them in the school grounds.”

“I want to make sure the sex offenders know schools are off-limits.”

The ACLU of Michigan argued against the original ban in court. It is concerned Jones’ bill still doesn’t do enough to clarify the issues identified in the judge’s opinion.

“It’s very very difficult for people to figure out where they can work, where they can live, and how they can follow the law if they can’t figure out where the zones are,” said Mirium Aukerman, the ACLU attorney who argued the case.

“So I think this is an effort to address that problem, but it doesn’t really address the concerns that the court had.”

The legislation includes an exemption for parents of students who are attending school functions, transporting children to or from school, or meeting with teachers and staff about their children.