Law enforcement agencies across North Dakota devote time and manpower to keeping track of sexual offenders by visiting their homes. But what if they could install an ATM-like computer network and require the offenders to check in themselves?

That question is behind an idea to install 10 touch screen kiosks across North Dakota where registered sex offenders would be required to periodically check in. Offenders would have to submit a recent picture and supply information, such as their present employer and what kind of car they're driving.

"The verification process is time consuming and already a drain on our overstretched law enforcement community," state Sen. Larry Robinson, D-Valley City, said Tuesday at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the issue.

Robinson, the bill's sponsor, said the estimated $1 million price tag for the kiosks should be weighed against their potential benefit.

"If we can prevent one assault, I believe it's worth it," he said.

The kiosk program would be run by the attorney general's office, which would decide what information a sex offender would have to submit and how often they'd have to check in at the terminals.

An offender's information would be instantly available to law enforcement agencies across the state. Before an offender could submit his information, the machine would authenticate him through fingerprint identification.

"What we've been looking for, for a long time, is a way to put more of the burden on the back of the offender," said Fargo Police Capt. Tod Dahle.

Dahle said the program would be especially helpful in tracking down offenders who are homeless or who've recently arrived from another state and haven't supplied a North Dakota address.

It wouldn't replace the current efforts of law enforcement, but would allow them to concentrate on those who fail to check in, he said.

The proposed kiosks would be placed in buildings such as county courthouses. The attorney general's office has determined that 10 units, placed in population centers across the state, would allow almost every offender to be within 50 miles of one.

"Would we like to have one in every courthouse? You bet. But I don't think that's practical," said Jerry Kemmet, director of the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, a unit of the attorney general's office.

Kemmett said about $800,000 of the $1 million cost is for initial installation of the units. About $200,000 would be required for operational and maintenance costs.

That cost is the main point of contention for Sen. Randel Christmann, R-Hazen, who said he has doubts about the new technology.

Christmann, who sits on the appropriations committee, said he wants to see more evidence that the system would both function as it's described and be a true help to law enforcement.

"If it's just going to be spending $1 million to make ourselves feel good, then I'm against it," he said.