Calif. lawmakers lead successful effort in House to create US registry of convicted arsonists

House passes registry for convicted arsonists

WASHINGTON — The House has passed a bill sought by California lawmakers that would create a national registry of convicted arsonists.

The House passed a similar bill two years ago, but the effort stalled in the Senate. A recent deadly fire in the Angeles National Forest in Southern California led to a renewed push for an arsonists’ registry.

Currently, California, Illinois and Montana maintain a database of convicted arsonists. Investigators say a nationwide registry would help them better keep track of repeat offenders.

The registry would be available only to law enforcement and would contain information such as the arsonist’s photo, address and place of employment.

Similar legislation is pending in the Senate.