Bastrop advances proposed sex offender work restrictions in split vote

Some context

The proposed ordinance would bar covered sex offenders from working within the same 1,000-foot buffer around places children commonly gather, including:

• Child care facilities
• Day care centers
• Parks
• Recreation centers
• Schools
• Video arcades
• Youth centers

Diving in deeper

The restrictions would apply to Risk Level 3 offenders, Risk Level 2 offenders whose offense involved a minor, and certain offenders without a numeric risk level. Risk Level 1 offenders would not be included, according to the proposed ordinance.

The Texas Department of Public Safety categorizes registered sex offenders in three risk levels, with Level 1 being the lowest and Level 3 the highest.

Something to know

If approved, the ordinance would grandfather covered sex offenders already employed at a business as long as they stay at that location and comply with legal requirements.

The proposed ordinance also includes a case-by-case hardship exemption process.

The June 9 draft gave final authority over those requests to the police chief, but council members asked staff to revise the process to include the city manager before the ordinance returns for a second reading June 23.