Fresno officials propose SHIELD Act to regulate sex offender group homes

Fresno city and county leaders have unveiled the SHIELD Act, a proposed legislative measure designed to increase oversight of group homes that house registered sex offenders. The act seeks to extend regulations similar to those already in place in Fresno County into the city limits.

Key provisions of the SHIELD Act include requiring operators to obtain a city license, limiting each group home to a maximum of six registered sex offenders, and capping the number of licensed facilities allowed within each City Council district. Additionally, the measure would require operators to disclose home locations and grant the city authority to conduct inspections and enforce penalties, including license revocation.

Local officials, including District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and Sheriff John Zanoni, cited the need for greater transparency following the attempted release of David Allen Funston, a convicted child kidnapper and molester. Funston had planned to reside in a Fresno transitional home after being deemed suitable for parole. Officials noted that nearly 1,300 registered sex offenders currently reside in Fresno, and the current lack of data regarding the number and location of transitional homes has caused concern among local residents.