Maryland laws tracking sex offenders could get tougher.

Maryland's governor and state attorney general are proposing new bills designed to better protect the public from the dangers of sexual predators.

Currently, the public can find pictures, addresses, and other information about sexual offenders in their surrounding communities at the Maryland government Web site.

Simply enter a ZIP code or the name of the person you think may be a predator and the information is at your fingertips.

However, officials say a recent incident at an elementary school proved the system needs improvement.

In September, a stranger showed up at Glendale Elementary School in Glen Burnie, Md. just before the end of the school day.

The principal's secretary thought she recognized the man from pictures located on the state government Web site registry of sexual offenders for the Glen Bernie ZIP code.

"He was questioned on why he was here. He indicated he was here for a particular child and indicated that the family had sent him that day to pick up the child. And, basically, from there we contacted the parents. And the parents indicated that was not the case -- that he didn't have authorization to pick up the child," said the school's principal, Richard Chilipko. Principal

Maryland Attorney General Joe Curran is proposing new bills authorizing police to call community meetings to notify neighbors when a sexual predator moves in, and another bill to improve the state registry of sex offenders.

"Although they are lifetime registered, they are only for a short period of time monitored. So, they may well be registered and on the Internet, but there's no way of learning what they are now doing. So, we want to have a law that requires them to be monitored for there registration, if need be, for an entire lifetime," said Curran.

Gov. Robert Ehrlich's administration has drafted its own bills to give more protection to the public.

"The problem with administration laws as they currently exist is the penalty for non-compliance is a only a misdemeanor. The governor will propose that that be increased to a felony and that the punishment be increased," said Legislative Director Alan Friedman.

Felony charges mean sexual offenders have to give DNA samples and other useful evidence if they are ever involved in a future crime.

It would also give Maryland the power to extradite sex offenders when they flee to other states.

The General Assembly will take up these new proposals in the legislative session that begins in January.