Sex offender bill to be re-evaluated

BOSTON, Mass. (AP) – Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo plans to reevaluate a bill that would make the names of low-level sex offenders public.

The decision comes days after prosecutors brought charges against John Burbine of Wakefield, Mass. for allegedly molesting more than a dozen children at his wife’s child care business.

Burbine is a level 1 sex offender, considered the least likely to re-offend.

A bill filed by Gov. Deval Patrick last year would sign Massachusetts on to the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.

The bill failed to make any progress in the legislature last year.

The proposed law would allow the public to access information about level 1 sex offenders.

The Boston Herald reports that Speaker DeLeo will meet with law enforcement and give serious consideration to the bill.