For parents worried about the threat posed by sexual offenders and predators to their children, here is good news.

The Florida Legislature has passed a piece of legislation that seeks to protect the state's children from sexual offenders and predators. House Bill 115, which has State Rep. Martin David Kiar (D-Parkland) as the primary sponsor, unanimously passed the Florida Senate and the Florida House and is on its way to Gov. Charlie Crist for his signature.

“Keeping our children safe and helping our children to become successful adults is the most important thing we can do in the Legislature. Whether it’s protecting them from assault or providing them with an excellent education, investing in their future is critical," Kiar said.

Sexual offenders and predators currently do not have to provide Florida Department of Law Enforcement with a home or cellular telephone number as part of the registration process, thus making it difficult for law enforcement to keep track of these individuals. This bill fixes that loophole by requiring sexual offenders and predators to provide their phone numbers to law enforcement.

The bill also encourages public libraries to adopt an Internet safety program to promote prudent Internet use and broaden awareness of online predators. In addition, the bill closes another critical loophole. Prior to this bill, if a person in Florida sent pornography to a child in another state they could not be prosecuted. Once this bill is signed by Crist, it will be a third-degree felony.