A small group of Iowa lawmakers say the state needs a nursing home that serves registered elderly sex offenders.
State legislators proposed the idea at a local forum held to discuss state budget issues last Saturday morning in Fort Dodge, IA, the Associated Press reported.
The proposal follows an announcement by Gov. Terry Branstad (R) last week that he would ask the state legislature to require notification when sex offenders are admitted to long-term care facilities. Branstad cited a report showing that 55 sex offenders live in various care facilities throughout the state. The issue has been a hot topic since an 83-year-old registered sex offender assaulted a fellow resident at Pomeroy nursing home last August.
Iowa Rep. Tom Shaw (R) said the state should consider buying a nursing home that could be staffed with people trained to handle sex offenders. No legislation has been introduced yet.
