The Police State...again

Va. Students to Be Checked for Sex Offense Jun 22nd - 3:19am By KRISTEN GELINEAU Associated Press Writer RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A new law requiring Virginia's colleges to hand over prospective students' personal information to police for cross-checking against sex offender lists is coming under fire from privacy advocates and education leaders.

Under the law, which takes effect July 1, public and private college officials must send state police the names, Social Security numbers and birth dates of all students accepted to their schools. [WTOP News]

While on the surface, this seems like a good idea, it is just wrong on so many other levels that I am amazed it was even approved, much less passed with little or no discussion. How many 18 year-olds have been charged with a sex offense? How many are likely to be charged? Frankly, it makes no sense. Yes, not every student going to University in Virginia is 18 years-old, but the vast majority are, and it is pointless to be looking for sex offenders in that demographic.

The further issues of data transfer, security and such are not trivial and judging by the manner that this sort of information is being handled at the Federal level, it is questionable that the Commonwealth of Virginia could handle it any better. And, what is glossed over is what happens if other outstanding issues pop up in this check? At what point was a background investigation a requirement for attending an institute of education?