Louisiana Sex Offenders Must Say So on Facebook

Louisiana sex offenders are getting a status update on Facebook—whether they like it or not. A new law that will go into effect Aug. 1 requires the state's sex offenders and child predators to identify themselves as such on social networks. It's the first such law in the US, says the state representative who championed the bill. "I don't want to leave in the hands of social network or Facebook administrators, 'Gee, I hope someone is telling the truth.' This is another tool for prosecutors," says Rep. Jeff Thompson.

Of course, CNN notes that in theory nothing should change, because Facebook bars registered sex offenders already. But offenders who ignore that policy will be required to give "notice of the crime for which he was convicted, the jurisdiction of conviction, a description of his physical characteristics ... and his residential address," the legislation, signed by Gov. Bobby Jindal, says. The penalty for not doing so? As many as 10 years in prison without parole. (More Facebook stories.)