WCVB-TV aired an investigative piece on former priest and convicted pedophile Paul Shanley last night which highlighted legislation filed by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) to prohibit multiple sex offenders from residing at the same address.
House Bill 858 would bar level 3 sex offenders – those deemed most likely to reoffend
– from “renting, residing, or otherwise occupying a single-family dwelling or a
unit in a multi-family dwelling with another finally classified level 3 sex
offender, regardless of the permanent or temporary residential status of either
sex offender, unless those persons are legally related by consanguinity,
affinity or adoption.” Representative Jones originally filed this bill
two years ago, in response to concerns raised by the North Reading Police
Department and several constituents who had contacted him about two level 3
offenders who were living together in town.
Shanley
was recently released from prison after serving 12 years for rape and abuse of
a child and now resides in Ware, MA. Two other level 3 offenders are also
residing at the same address, in a building owned by yet another level 3
offender.
House
Bill 858 is currently pending before the Joint Committee on the
Judiciary. A public hearing on the legislation has not yet been
scheduled.
