State Senate backs sex offender restrictions

— The Arkansas Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would prohibit sex offenders from swimming areas or children's playgrounds located within a state park.

By a 35-0 vote, the Senate on Thursday backed the measure by Republican Sen. Missy Irvin of Mountain View that would bar Level 3 and 4 sex offenders from being at swimming areas or playgrounds within a state park. The measure would make a violation of that restriction a Class D Felony.

Irvin has said the legislation expands a 2011 law that barred sex offenders from city-owned pool or water park.

Irvin's proposal now heads to the House Judiciary Committee.

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