Assembly outlaws tampering with sex offender signals

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The state Assembly has passed a bill that would outlaw tampering with the signal from a sex offender's Global Positioning System unit.

The state Department of Corrections uses GPS to track the movement of serious sex offenders after they're freed. Meddling with an offender's tracking device already is illegal.

The bill would make tampering with the devices' signals a felony punishable by up to three years and 6 months in prison and $10,000 in fines.

The bill goes to the state Senate.

[Ed: In reality, I imagine that tampering with the device is not necessary at all. I believe that, to temporarily "disengage" the GPS unit from the constellation of satellites upon which they rely, one would only need to wrap aluminum foil around the device. A couple of layers ought to work fine. Of course, this bit of speculation is provided for informational purposes only; we strongly recommend against attempting to thwart any intentions of our benevolent government(s) and to cooperate with them in all ways possible in their efforts to thoroughly regulate every aspect of your life. ]