Senator partners with San Diego DA on legislation to keep SVP hearings public

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A state senator, with the backing of San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, announced today the re-introduction of

legislation aimed at keeping court hearings for Sexually Violent Predators open to the public.

Senate Bill 248 would require that court proceedings remain public for the civil commitments of Sexually Violent Predators -- or SVPs -- offenders

convicted of sexually violent offenses and diagnosed with a mental disorder that makes them likely to re-offend, according to Sen. Patricia Bates, R-Laguna Niguel.

SVPs who have been civilly committed to state hos...