SENDAI, Japan, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- A Japanese regional government may require permanent GPS monitoring of sex offenders, officials say.
The Miyagi prefecture's draft ordinance would apply to people convicted of rape and other forms of sexual assault and domestic violence who are judged likely to strike again after release, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported Monday.
Suspects arrested on sex charges also could be required to give DNA samples.
Police would be responsible for the monitoring, and the storing of DNA.
Offenders would be required to report regularly to committees of volunteer parole officers and lawyers. The panels would be empowered to ask the governor to order ex-convicts to wear a GPS device.
The prefectural government presented the plan to a panel of experts Saturday and will decide whether to introduce it by the end of March. Gov. Yoshihiro Murai said the bill should be a model for the national government.
