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Sam Penrod ReportingKidnapped teenager Elizabeth Smart took center stage in the nation's capitol today, pressing Congress to pass a bill designed to protect children from predators.
Next week will mark three years since Elizabeth Smart was rescued and returned home. Today she is in Washington D.C., trying to get lawmakers to pass tougher regulations to keep the public informed about where convicted sex offenders are living.
Elizabeth Smart, who survived a nine month nightmare after being kidnapped from her Salt Lake home, today asked Congress to pass what is known as the "Children's Safety and Violent Crime Reduction Act."
Elizabeth Smart: "I don't want to see others go through what I had to go through. Predators and sex offenders need to take accountability for their actions."
Elizabeth and her father, Ed Smart, are pushing for the new law, which they believe will keep children safer. Specifically, it would require every state to enact tighter restrictions on sex offenders when it comes to where they live and what they drive. It would also require states to notify another state if a sex offender moves there.
Elizabeth Smart: "The importance of this lies in the ability to keep better track of sex offenders, making them more responsible by requiring regular reporting, monitoring and verification of their residences."
Several cases nationwide in recent months, where convicted sex offenders are accused of child kidnappings and murders, has given the bill momentum. Elizabeth Smart hopes it will make a difference for children in the future.
Elizabeth Smart: "More lives can be saved and potential tragedies avoided. We must do all we can to prevent this trauma. I would ask and call upon both the congress and senate to pass this bill on behalf of the next victim."
The bill did pass in the House of Representatives today by a voice vote. It now goes to the Senate.
