09:51 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Associated Press

BATON ROUGE-- Louisiana needs a plan to separate registered sex offenders from the women and children they might prey upon in emergency shelters during hurricane evacuations, a House panel voted on Wednesday.

Rep. Don Cazayoux, sponsor of the plan, said shelters for the general public could have separate areas dedicated to sex offenders. Or, parishes could set up separate shelters for the sex offenders, the bill says.

The measure also calls for a plan to supply each shelter statewide with the state police list of registered sex offenders, giving the shelters' operators a shot at identifying them.

The bill passed the House Committee on Judiciary without objection and moves to the full House.

Rep. Cedric Glover, D-Shreveport, sponsored a similar bill but deferred it and said he would support Cazayoux's measure.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)