Great news for Virginians yesterday as the state agreed to invest in protecting the safety of Virginia's children. The budget negotiators agreed to "Alicia's Law" to give law enforcement the resources they need to track down and prosecute online sex offenders that prey on kids by expanding the regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces. Following a long and emotional fight, Brian was able to secure funding for the law. These funds will allow them to double the number of investigations and arrests.

The Washington Times reports today that,

The package grants $2.6 million for regional jail expansions in western Virginia and Rappahannock and $1.5 million for Alicia"s law, a program that targets adults who solicit children for sex over the Internet. The law is named for Alicia Kozkeiwicz, who was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by an online predator when she was 13.

The negotiators said they were flooded with calls from supporters across the country, including Alicia"s mother.

"Every time you bring a computer into your home, you provide online predators with access to your children," said Delegate Brian J. Moran of Alexandria, the leader of the House Democratic Caucus.

On Monday, he made an emotional plea for the funding. "Law-enforcement officers have not had the resources to combat these crimes, but today we have taken a major first step by expanding two regional task forces to investigate and arrest these offenders," Mr. Moran said.

The Examiner has more:

Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, successfully fought for $1.5 million to crack down on Internet sex predators as part of his proposed “Alicia’s law.”

“Today is a tremendous step in our efforts to protect Virginia’s children from the most violent, vile online predators,” said Moran, a gubernatorial candidate.

You can read Brian's press release on the victory, by clicking here.

UPDATE:Protect recognizes Brian's leadership in securing the passage and funding for Alicia's Law

“First among the backers of the legislation was Delegate Brian Moran, who stood by the side of 19-year old Alicia Kozakiewicz throughout what became one of PROTECT's toughest state battles in recent years. From the trenches, it was clear Moran is the right stuff when it comes to fighting sexual predators.”