News: Bill Boosts Penalty For Offenders Who Remove Tracker

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Sex-offender parolees who remove or disable their satellite-linked tracking devices would face an increased penalty under legislation sent to Gov. Jerry Brown.

A law passed two years ago to ease prison overcrowding sends parole violators to county jails instead of state prison. But many serve little or no time because jails have become overcrowded.

SB57 by Democratic Sen. Ted Lieu of Torrance requires that the state parole board order offenders who remove their GPS-linked ankle bracelets to serve six months in jail. It was narrowed from the original version, which would have sent offenders back to state prison.

The measure received final approval from the state Senate Wednesday with a 39-0 vote.

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