State Rep. Matthew Bierlein, of Vassar, has introduced legislation that will keep children safe and provide clarity for parents.

The plans further strengthen the state’s Sex Offender Registry Act (SORA) by prohibiting registered sex offenders from working or volunteering at businesses that provide services primarily to minors. These places of business would include childcare facilities, summer camps, dance or martial arts studios, tutoring services, youth sports entities, bowling alleys, escape rooms, and more.

“These bills shore up gaps in law that leave parents in the dark,” Bierlein said. “You could have a situation where parents drop their kids off somewhere and they would have no idea that a registered sex offender was on staff or volunteering there. These bills take away that potential, provide transparency, and make this cut and dry within law.”

Bierlein said concerned parents can find a publicly accessible list of people in Michigan convicted of state or federal sex crimes that is maintained by the Michigan State Police. An online version of the registry is located under the services tab on the state of Michigan’s website and information is also available by phone. Michigan also has the Offender Tracking Information System, which is a free search service maintained by the Michigan Department of Corrections, as well as the Michigan Internet Criminal History Access Tool, which is also run through the Michigan State Police and has a small fee for users.

The bills will soon be formally read into the record.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Matthew Bierlein introduces House Bills 5425-26 at the state Capitol in Lansing on Thursday, Dec. 18.