New Act Will Better Protect Children From Predators

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Updated: 8:12 PM Jul 27, 2006 New Act Will Better Protect Children From Predators The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act is being hailed as a historic step toward safer families. Posted: 3:54 PM Jul 27, 2006 Reporter: Carrie Hutton New Act Will Better Protect Children From Predators

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It will now be easier to track criminals who've harmed children in the past. Thursday the President signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection Act of 2006. It's named after Adam Walsh, a six-year-old abducted and murdered 25 years ago.

Adams's father, John Walsh, host of "America's Most Wanted," stood by the president for the bill's signing.

It creates a national Internet database to track the whereabouts of convicted offenders by simply entering a zip code. Every sex offender on the list will have to submit to DNA testing and on the state level. Under a provision called "the Amie Zyla Act", even juvenile offenders will be tracked from now on.

"I'm just glad it's gonna help kids and families and communities be safer and I’m excited," said Zyla. She was sexually assaulted by a 14-year-old boy who was released from jail and went on to victimize more children.

The entire Child Safety Act also provides for harsh federal punishment for sexually assaulting children, including the possibility of the death penalty when a victim is murdered.