Lawmaker Condemned For Bill Removing Restrictions On Sex Offenders

But one of the effects of the bill would be no restrictions on where registered sex offenders could go. It was an aspect of the bill he openly supported.

Reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. Friday, Majority Leader Larry O’Neal slammed the bill on the House floor as lawmakers, including Moore, looked on.

“The party that I so proudly represent in no way shape or form condones that sort of proposition and in my personal opinion is the most irresponsible and egregious example of proposed legislation I have seen in my entire life,” said O’Neal. 

John Meadows, the powerful rules chairman, said the bill would put children at extreme risk, adding any legislator who supported the bill would have a major problem getting future legislation passed in his committee.

“I can assure you that bills like this – when the author comes with others – I’d be very suspect on any bill and it’d be awful to be the most ineffective person in this building.”

Moore says he knew the bill would be controversial. But the staunch libertarian still insists the state’s anti-loitering laws violate a person’s Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Plus, he says other state laws are in place to keep unwanted people from schools, like criminal trespass.

Moore was sworn in earlier this month. He won a tight runoff election to replace the late Calvin Hill, who died of leukemia in October. Moore’s opponent in that race, Meagan Biello, announced this weekend she’ll be once again challenging Moore, this time in May in the upcoming Republican primary.