Governor Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the California Supreme Court ruled to uphold the residency restrictions in Proposition 83, also known as Jessica’s Law, which took effect on November 8, 2006:
“The voters passed this important initiative to help protect our communities and our children from sexual predators and I am pleased the court ruled today to uphold the will of the people. As Governor, my single greatest priority is to protect the safety and well-being of all Californians, and this ruling allows the state to continue implementing this important public safety measure. My Administration will continue to do everything within our power to protect California’s children and families from the threat of sexual predators including defending Jessica’s law.”
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has applied the 2,000-foot residency restriction in Jessica’s Law to all sex offenders released from prison on or after November 8, 2006, regardless of when they committed their crime.