OTTAWA, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The Canadian government says it plans major reforms to crack down on convicted sex offenders who travel out of the country to have sex with children.
The proposed legislation, to be introduced in Ottawa in the fall, would open sex offender registries to the public as well as border control officials, the Toronto Star reported Tuesday.
Under current law, only law enforcement officers investigating sex offenses have access to the sex offender registry.
The "Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act" would require sex offenders provide details about any trips they plan outside the country. Officials in the destination country would be informed of the offender's arrival.
Currently, sex offenders only have to notify authorities if they plan to be away from home more than seven days, and they do not have to report in for seven days after they leave or where they are going.
The legislation was prompted, the Star said, after the newspaper alleged a 78-year-old man twice convicted of child pornography in Canada traveled to Cuba 31 times from 2009 to 2012 to have sex with young girls.
