Louisiana legislative committee rejects marking registrants’ driver’s licenses
By Will Sentell . . . A bill that would require the driver’s license or identification card of sex offenders to carry a special designation was narrowly rejected Tuesday in the House Transportation Committee.
State Rep. Larry Bagley, R-Stonewall, said his proposal was aimed at protecting citizens while also complying with a recent ruling by the state Supreme Court.
The court last year struck down a state law that said IDs for sex offenders had to include the words “SEX OFFENDER” printed in orange.
The measure failed 6-7 after a lengthy discussion.
Critics said the measure would likely be struck down.
“I have a problem with this bill,” said Rep. Mack Cormier, D-Belle Chasse and a member of the committee.
“It is not because I don’t want to protect kids. From a legal standpoint I do not think this would stand up in the U. S. Supreme Court.”
The bill would require that a driver’s license or state-issued ID card include a designation that would be recognizable to law enforcement officers.