San Diego City Wire

The Senate Public Safety Committee has unanimously approved Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones’s bipartisan Senate Bill 1074, known as the “Sexually Violent Predator Accountability, Fairness, and Enforcement Act” (SAFE Act). The bill, designed to protect communities from sexually violent predators, received strong bipartisan support.

Leader Jones expressed gratitude for the committee's understanding of the need to safeguard neighborhoods and families from dangerous predators. He emphasized the importance of the SAFE Act in addressing the alarming release program for sexually violent predators, stating, "Today is the first step towards fixing this broken and alarming sexually violent predator release program."

SB 1074 aims to prevent the state from placing sexually violent predators in family-friendly neighborhoods without considering public safety. The bill prioritizes public safety in the placement of predators and requires approval from the Department of State Hospitals before any placements occur.

Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil voiced her support for SB 1074, highlighting the bill's emphasis on public safety and accountability. She stated, "SB 1074 is a vital step towards transparency and responsible governance."

District Attorney Michael L. Ramsey praised the SAFE Act for placing responsibility on the Department of State Hospitals to ensure community safety, noting the importance of the measure in safeguarding neighborhoods.

Sarah Thompson, a mother and founder of Kid Safe California, expressed her gratitude for Senator Jones's efforts in promoting community safety through the implementation of common-sense measures.

SB 1074, coauthored by several legislators, passed the Senate Public Safety Committee with a 4-0 vote, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to protect communities from sexually violent predators.