Legislation that would prevent some sex offenders from participating in Halloween, including handing out candy, was approved Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado, the sponsor of Senate Bill 10, called Level 3 and 4 offenders "the worst of the worst." His bill would make it a class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, for a sex offender of that level to give candy to a minor or wear a mask or costume around a minor at any "Halloween-related" event.
Parents who are sex offenders would not be subject to the ban if the minor was their own child.
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"Let's protect [children] from the real monsters on Halloween," Garner said.
However, several attorneys and an advocate for sex offenders said the bill would impose undue burdens on people who had served their time and were trying to re-enter society.
Sen. Stephanie Flowers, D-Pine Bluff, committee vice chairman, seemed to agree with those sentiments.
"We're going over the edge, and I'm wondering what's next," Flowers said. "Is there an island you want to put them on?"
Flowers voted against the measure on a voice vote, but the bill had enough support to move on to the full Senate.
-- John Moritz