$$ for sex-offender crackdown

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed a law that provides the funding to implement Jessica's Law, the crackdown on sexual predators that voters approved last year under Proposition 83.

Senate Bill 866 provides $12.5 million to implement the law, which requires registered sex offenders to wear GPS monitoring bracelets for the rest of their lives after serving their sentences. It also imposes longer sentences, broadens the definitions of sex offenses and prohibits probation for some offenses.

The ballot measure, and SB 866, were coauthored by Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster.

The bill specifically provides the additional funding for the current 2006-07 fiscal year to the Department of Mental Health, for additional evaluations of sexually violent predators, expert court testimonies and other services.

"My single greatest priority as governor is to protect the safety and well-being of all Californians. Sexually violent predators pose a serious threat to public safety and we must take every necessary step to eliminate that threat," Schwarzenegger said in a written statement. "This funding will pay for increased clinical screenings of sexually violent predators to help protect the public from dangerous offenders."