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Maryland legislature moving forward on branding sex offender drivers' licenses

By Douglas A. Berman

As this AP article details, "Maryland senators have passed legislation that would add special coding to sex offenders' driver's licenses."  Here are the basic details: Senators passed legislation with the provision on Saturday. Sen. Richard Colburn, R-Dorchester, sponsored the amendment, which requires the marking to be done in a way that only law enforcement can understand. He says it would alert police to ask more questions if they stop a registered sex offender with a child. Opponents say adding the markings is akin to a "scarlet letter" and will make it tougher for those on parole to rejoin society. They add it could drive more sex offenders underground as they try to avoid registration requirements.

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on April 10, 2010 (boomark / email).