Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2005-06-29, Gov. Easley Signs Child Exploitation Prevention Act Into Law; Bill Defines The Solicitation Of A Child By Computer As A Sexually Violent Offense

Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Sara Parsons Date: June 29, 2005 Phone: 919/733-5612 GOV. EASLEY SIGNS CHILD EXPLOITATION PREVENTION ACT INTO LAW Bill Defines the Solicitation of a Child By Computer as a Sexually Violent Offense RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today signed into law Senate Bill 472, “The Child Exploitation Prevention Act,” which will allow law enforcement officers to go online undercover to catch child sexual predators who use the Internet and will authorize the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to use additional technology to investigate certain crimes committed by the use of a computer. “This bill sends a clear message to child predators who use the Internet to seek out their victims,” said Easley. “These criminals cannot hide behind their computer screens. We will find them and we will put them behind bars. “I commend Attorney General Roy Cooper, Sen. Scott Thomas and others who have worked hard and supported this important legislation. This bill will give law enforcement an additional tool to find and prosecute child predators. It will also make the Internet a safer place for our children.” Senate Bill 472 will make it a felony to use the Internet to solicit sex from anyone, including an undercover officer, whom he or she believes to be a child. Under current law, a predator who solicits an officer posing as a minor could only be charged with a misdemeanor. As a result of this bill, convicted online predators must also be added to the state’s Sex Offender Registry and will have to provide DNA samples for the state’s database of convicted offender DNA. Additionally, the bill will also authorize the SBI to investigate the technology and methodology used by online predators by means of a computer, network, Internet, or e-mail. “Child predators are cruising the Internet today more than they cruise the playgrounds," said Attorney General Cooper. “Now, when these criminals go online, law enforcement officers will be there to stop them before they can hurt our children.” “Tougher penalties for Internet predators and better tools to help law' enforcement catch these criminals before they strike will help protect innocent children and give parents peace of mind,” said Sen. Thomas, a parent, former prosecutor and primary sponsor of the bill. “As technology advances, so must our ability to crack down on those who use computers and technology to harm others.” -More- Governor’s Press Office State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166