Bill: HB 387, 85(R) - 2017

Currently in Texas, Home Rule cities are able to establish “child safety zones” which limit areas registered sex offenders are allowed to live, work in, or travel to, or through. This bill would, with some conditions, allow general law municipalities to also set up child safety zones restricting the movements of registered sex offenders. If passed, there would be a defense to prosecution if a registered sex offender was in, on or within a specified distance of a child safety zone for a legitimate purpose including transportation of a child that is allowed to be in their custody and other work-related purposes. The distance requirement may not be more than 1,000 feet. 

HB 387 does not actually create new child safety zones but merely grants ordinance-making authority to general law municipalities, and because the bill would require ordinances to make accommodations for travel routes, employment location, pre-existing residency, and other social reintegration issues we see no connection between this bill and our liberty principles. For this reason we will remain neutral on HB 387.