GASTONIA, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory signed a law Thursday morning that is aimed to protect children in North Carolina from sex offenders.
The law, which is named in memory of Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old girl from Gastonia who was kidnapped and killed in Florida by a registered sex offender, provides clarity on places where convicted sex offenders cannot go.
“I know that we’re not going to stop until we get all 50 states and pass this is in every state,” said Sue Lunsford, Jessica’s aunt.
Gov McCrory signs law for Jessica Lunsford, a 9 y/o from Gastonia, killed, murdered in FL by convicted sex offender pic.twitter.com/Tc4VDgFLpF
— Tanya Mendis (@tanyamendis) July 21, 2016
North Carolina lawmakers tried to pass the law in the past, but a judge ruled parts of it were too vague. Now, the law is much more specific. Places like parks, libraries, and swimming pools are off-limits for predators who have been convicted of sex crimes against children.