The California Supreme Court has ruled that state corrections officials can't prohibit all registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park as required by a 2006 voter-approved ballot measure.
The court said the blanket restriction violates the sex offenders' constitutional rights by limiting their access to housing. They said it also deprives sex offenders of access to services such as psychological counseling that are available to all parolees.
The court restricted its decision to San Diego County, where the case originated. But the ruling has potential statewide impact.
The court did not strike down the law itself, saying sex offenders could still be forced to live more than 2,000 feet from schools. But it said the decision would have to be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation is reviewing the decision.
