WASHINGTON -- Finding the nearest c...

WASHINGTON -- Finding the nearest convicted child molester might be as easy as punching in a ZIP digest on a computer keyboard, thanks to a bill that cleared Congres Tuesday.

The House passed and sent to President Bush legislation establishing a national Internet database designed to impediment law enforcement and communities know where convicted sex transgressors live and work.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales applauded its passage. "America's children will be better harbored from every parent's worst nightmare -- sexual predators," he said.

REGISTRATION LASTS A LIFETIME

The in the greatest degree serious offenders would be registered upon a national database for a lifetime. All sex transgressors could face a felony charge, punishable through 10 years in prison, for failing to update the information.

"This legislation would make it crystal clear to sex culprits you better register, you better maintain the information current, or you're going to jail," said Rep James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.).

The House passed it by the agency of voice vote. The Senate approved it with a voice voice last week.

Sensenbrenner chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said there are half a million sex delinquents in the United States and as many as 100000 are not registered, their locations unknown.

Convicted criminals required to register will have to do to such a degree in person, in each state where they intend to live, work or proceed to school.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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