Tarr Working to Overhaul Sex Offender Laws
State Senate Republican Leader Bruce Tarr plans to introduce legislation in January that would make changes to the sex offender registry in the wake of a criminal case in Wakefield.
Senate Republicans, led to state Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), expect to file comprehensive legislation during the new session aimed at reforming how information about sex offenders is shared between law enforcement and other officials. Tarr represents Hamilton and Wenham in the state Senate. The bill is a response to the ongoing case involving Wakefield resident John Burbine and some 100 counts of child sex abuse he is facing. His wife, Marian, is also facing charges in the case for running an illegal daycare and for reckless endangerment. Burbine’s original classification suggested his risk of re-offend was low, and the public would not benefit from the disclosure of his information; however, subsequent facts have proven this …
