Sebelius seeks tighter restrictions on sex offenders

Topeka ? One day after Atty. Gen. Phill Kline proposed toughening laws against sex offenders, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius held a news conference to say she also wants to protect Kansans from sex offenders.

Sebelius announced today that state law enforcement agencies are linking their computer databases to better track sex offenders.

And she called on the Legislature to enact a proposal offered by her and Kline two years ago that would increase prison sentences for repeat sex offenders.

The comments from Sebelius, a Democrat, came the day after Kline, a Republican, announced he would form a task force to recommend tougher sentences for sex crimes, and ways to better track convicted offenders.

Asked about the timing of her news conference after Kline’s, Sebelius said, “I think it is an indication that we are both working on the same issue. I’m enthusiastic that we are working on the same goal.”

On another issue, Sebelius said a new law is needed to set a minimum age to marry in Kansas. She did not specify what that age should be.

Kansas’ lack of a minimum age to marry has been criticized in recent weeks after a 22-year-old Nebraska man brought his 14-year-old, pregnant girlfriend to Kansas to marry.

Kansas law states that children under 18 may marry if they have the consent of a parent or legal guardian and a judge. Sex with anyone younger than 16 is a crime in Kansas, but the law doesn’t apply to people who are married.