Sacramento, CA-College police and victim advocate representatives will attend Tuesday's California Senate Public Safety Committee meeting to support legislation, AB 4, that would require convicted violent and child sex offenders to register with campus police when they become students at or begin working on a college or university campus. Offenders must already register with local police where they live and work.

"This bill is necessary because those on campus deserve the same protection as the community in general," said Jessica Higgins, coordinator of Cal State Sacramento's Sexual Assault Education and Advocacy Program.

AB 4, authored by Assemblymembers Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced), eliminates the loophole in current law that allows offenders to be on campus without campus police being aware of their presence. AB 4 passed the Assembly 74-0 in May. It will also bring California into compliance with a related federal law passed last year and ensure full eligibility for federal criminal justice grant funding.

"This legislation will give college police the information necessary to fully investigate sex crimes and protect our communities from sexual predators," said Detective Sally Miller of the Santa Rosa Junior College police department in Sonoma county. Miller, a leading proponent of AB 4 will be present Tuesday when it is considered by the committee.

The legislation is also supported by the California Police Chiefs Association, Crime Victims United of California, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, and the national non-profit campus crime prevention group Security On Campus, Inc. among others.

Supporters will be available before Tuesday's hearing for comment.