Is it possible to write a law that's too harsh on sex offenders, especially those who prey on children? Georgians could find out if Republicans in the state House of Representatives have their way.

Led by House Majority Leader Jerry Keen of St. Simons Island, GOP leaders are putting on next year's legislative agenda what will be, if passed, the toughest anti-sex crime laws in the nation - even tougher than Florida's. The perverted murders in Florida of Jessica Lunsford, 9, and Sarah Lund, 13, are what prompted the Georgia lawmakers to move. The children's brutal deaths focused attention on growing numbers of kids across the nation who are being abducted and molested.

Keen makes no bones about what's motivating him, either: "My intent," he said, "is to make it so onerous on those that are convicted of these offenses that when they are paroled (or) released, they will want to move to another state. Living in Georgia will be too inconvenient, too expensive, and they'll relocate somewhere else."

The legislation calls for longer prison time across the board for all sex crimes, but the harshest would incarcerate pedophiles for up to 50 years, even on a first offense, if they sexually molested kids younger than 14. And offenders whom authorities found to be "sexually dangerous predators" would be required to wear electronic monitoring devices for many years after leaving prison, possibly for the rest of their lives.

One note of caution was struck by Cobb County District Attorney Pat Head. Although he supports the legislation, Head urged lawmakers to take care the harsh penalties apply only to confirmed pedophiles, and not to young people guilty of "indiscretion and youthful exuberance."

We can agree with that. Sex offenders, be they pedophiles or rapists, rarely can be rehabilitated, so why not hit them with the severest of punishments? As Keen says, that's probably the best deterrent available.

We particularly like the idea of the electronic monitoring devices for chronic predators. They'll be much less inclined to rape or molest if they know they're being tracked. Also, it certainly won't hurt if Georgia gets the reputation as the state toughest on sex crimes.