California’s sexually violent sex offender bill moves forward

CALIFORNIA, USA — Some communities in California are concerned about the possibility of sexually violent offenders being released into their neighborhoods. ABC10 has been following this process for months. Senate Bill 1074 seeks to address the safety issues and now heads to the next committee.

Erica Farmer is a mother of three young children in Turlock. She made it a point to fight for her family’s safety during Tuesday’s Public Safety Committee meeting to show her support for SB-1074.

“We have a lot of older people in this neighborhood who are exposed to them. So it’s very scary,” she said.

The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senator Brian Jones (R-San Diego), would require the state hospital board to consider public safety when releasing a sex offender.

“They have to sign the leases for these homes before the placement is approved,” Jones said.

ABC10 has reported on the possible release of Kevin Gray and Timothy Weathers in Stanislaus County and William Stephenson in Placer County. District Attorney Morgan Gire has openly expressed his opposition to the SVP’s release.

“Give some responsibility back to the government hospital department and give the people some peace of mind,” Gire said.

The area in question in Stanislaus County is a little too close to home for Farmer.

“Less than 137 meters from my home, literally right next door,” she said.

There was no discussion with opponents of the bill during Tuesday’s hearing, but a representative from the ACLU California Action was present to voice his opposition. ABC10 has requested comment on the reasoning but has not yet received a response.

Regardless, the bill passed unanimously and now goes to the Budget Committee.

“This is another level of accountability, another level of transparency, another level where taxpayers can trust that the government is doing its job,” Jones said.

ABC10 has also reached out to the Department of State Hospitals for comment but has not yet received a response.

Concerns grow over release and detention of sexually violent offenders in Stanislaus County