Young Sex Offenders Might Join Registry

Several committee members asked Montgomery prosecutors why they did not seek to have the boy, who was almost 15 when the case went to court, tried as an adult. The delegates were told that because it was his first offense, a judge would not have agreed to remove him from the juvenile system.

But a few delegates said they were concerned that by exempting the confidentiality of one category of juvenile crimes, the path would be opened to excluding other crimes.

"What about crimes of violence?" Del. Luiz R.S. Simmons (D-Montgomery) asked. "Or identify theft? Where do we draw the line?"

Karla Smith, chief of the family violence division for the Montgomery state's attorney's office, responded that because sex offenders victimize children and are not obvious criminals to the public, they should be held to a different standard than juveniles who commit other crimes.

A panel of public defenders opposed the bill, saying juvenile offenders are less likely than adults to abuse again and should not be on a registry. "If you want to do something to make sure these children are not dangerous, offer better treatment," said Brain Dento, district public defender for Prince George's County.

Committee Chairman Joseph F. Vallario Jr. (D-Prince George's) suggested that the bill be amended to limit its scope to juveniles a judge concludes are pedophiles, unlikely to be rehabilitated, and that such an amendment might increase the bill's chance of committee approval.

Other bills would designate sexual abuse of a minor younger than 14 a "crime of violence" that would prevent child sex offenders from early release.

Another would prevent convicted sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school, playground, swimming pool or day-care center. Registered offenders would be required to update their photographs when they have a substantial change in appearance.