Special driver's licenses to be issued to sex offenders

By: Brittany Benner

Tallahassee, Florida — There's a new law to help protect your kids against sex offenders.

School safety is top priority for many parents. Some schools already have security systems like the "Raptor" which can do quick visitor background checks to identify sex offenders.

But there's a new and faster way authorities hope to keep your little ones safe.

"Starting August 1^st, anyone with a Florida driver's license or identification card will have a new designation on their driver's license or identification cards if they have been convicted as a sexual predator or offender," said Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Public Information Officer Ann Nucatola.

That new driver's license has a marking on the bottom right-hand corner with a special number identifying the law that particular sex offender violated.

"We already check driver's license for visitors against Florida National Sex Offender Predator database, but this will make it quicker for us," said Leon County School District Director of Safety and Security John Hunkiar.

As soon as school officials identify a sex offender on campus grounds, they'll have the authority to either escort them off campus or contact law enforcement.

"As a person that works for the school district and also as a parent, I think it's important that anything that helps our staff do their job better, I'm for," said Hunkiar.

The new law goes into effect as of Wednesday, August 1, 2007. Convicted sex offenders have until February 2008 to be in compliance with new IDs.

Contact your local Sheriff for further information.