2014 -- H 7425

========

LC004285

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND

NOTIFICATION

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Palumbo, Azzinaro, Corvese, Malik, and Trillo

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2014

     Referred To: House Finance

     (Attorney General)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-37.1 of the General Laws entitled "Sexual Offender Registration

2

and Community Notification" is hereby repealed in its entirety.

3

CHAPTER 11-37.1

4

Sexual Offender Registration and Community Notification

5

     11-37.1-1. Short title. -- This chapter shall be known and be cited as the "Sexual

6

Offender Registration and Community Notification Act".

7

     11-37.1-2. Definitions. -- (a) "Aggravated offense" means and includes offenses

8

involving sexual penetration of victims of any age through the use of force or the threat of use of

9

force or offenses involving sexual penetration of victims who are fourteen (14) years of age or

10

under.

11

      (b) "Board", "board of review", or "sex offender board of review" means the sex

12

offender board of review appointed by governor pursuant to section 11-37.1-6.

13

      (c) (1) "Conviction" or "convicted" means and includes any instance where:

14

      (i) A judgment of conviction has been entered against any person for any offense

15

specified in subsection (e) or (k) of this section, regardless of whether an appeal is pending; or

16

      (ii) There has been a finding of guilty for any offense specified in subsection (e) or (k) of

17

this section, regardless of whether an appeal is pending; or

18

      (iii) There has been a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for any offense specified in

 

1

subsection (e) or (k) of this section, regardless of whether an appeal is pending; or

2

      (iv) There has been an admission of sufficient facts or a finding of delinquency for any

3

offense specified in subsection (e) or (k) of this section, regardless of whether or not an appeal is

4

pending.

5

      (2) Provided, in the event that a conviction, as defined in this subsection, has been

6

overturned, reversed, or otherwise vacated, the person who was the subject of the conviction shall

7

no longer be required to register as required by this chapter and any records of a registration shall

8

be destroyed. Provided, further that nothing in this section shall be construed to eliminate a

9

registration requirement of a person who is again convicted of an offense for which registration is

10

required by this chapter.

11

      (d) [Deleted by P.L. 2003, ch. 162, section 1 and by P.L. 2003, ch. 170, section 1_.

12

      (e) "Criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" means and includes any of the

13

following offenses or any offense in another jurisdiction which is substantially the equivalent of

14

the following or for which the person is or would be required to register under 42 U.S.C. section

15

14071 or 18 U.S.C. section 4042(c):

16

      (1) Kidnapping or false imprisonment of a minor, in violation of section 11-26-1.4, 11-

17

26-1 or 11-26-2, where the victim of the offense is sixteen (16) years of age or older and under

18

the age of eighteen (18) years;

19

      (2) Enticement of a child in violation of section 11-26-1.5 with the intent to violate

20

sections 11-37-6, 11-37-8, 11-37-8.1, 11-37-8.3;

21

      (3) Any violation of section 11-37-6, 11-37-8, 11-37-8.1, or 11-37-8.3;

22

      (4) Any violation of section 11-1-10, where the underlying offense is a violation of

23

chapter 34 of this title and the victim or person solicited to commit the offense is under the age of

24

eighteen (18) years;

25

      (5) Any violation of section 11-9-1(b) or (c); or

26

      (6) Any violation of section 11-9-1.3;

27

      (7) Any violation of section 11-37.1-10;

28

      (8) Any violation of section 11-37-8.8;

29

      (9) Any violation of section 11-64-2 where the victim is under the age of eighteen (18)

30

years; or

31

      (10) Murder in violation of section 11-23-1 where the murder was committed in the

32

perpetration of, or attempted perpetration of, kidnapping and where the victim of the offense is

33

under eighteen (18) years of age.

34

      (f) "Designated state law enforcement agency" means the attorney general or his or her

 

LC004285 - Page 2 of 37

1

designee.

2

      (g) "Employed, carries on a vocation" means and includes the definition of "employed,

3

carries on a vocation" under 42 U.S.C. section 14071.

4

      (h) "Institutions of higher education" means any university, two (2) or four (4) year

5

college or community college.

6

      (i) "Mental abnormality" means a congenital or acquired condition of a person that

7

affects the emotional or volitional capacity of the person in a manner that predisposes that person

8

to the commission of criminal sexual acts to a degree that makes the person a menace to the

9

health and safety of other persons.

10

      (j) "Predator" means a person whose act(s) is (are) or was (were) directed at a stranger,

11

or at a person with whom a relationship has been established or promoted for the primary purpose

12

of victimization.

13

      (k) "Sexually violent offense" means and includes any violation of section 11-37-2, 11-

14

37-4, 11-37-6, 11-37-8, 11-37-8.1, 11-37-8.3, or 11-5-1 where the specified felony is sexual

15

assault, or section 11-23-1 where the murder was committed in the perpetration of, or attempted

16

perpetration of, rape or any degree of sexual assault or child molestation, or any offense in

17

another jurisdiction which is substantially the equivalent of any offense listed in this subsection or

18

for which the person is or would be required to register under 42 U.S.C. section 14071 or 18

19

U.S.C. section 4042(c).

20

      (l) "Sexually violent predator" means a person who has been convicted of a sexually

21

violent offense and who has a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes the person

22

likely to engage in predatory sexually violent offenses.

23

      (m) "Student" means and includes the definition of "student" under 42 U.S.C. section

24

14071.

25

      (n) "Parole board" means the parole board or its designee.

26

     11-37.1-3. Registration required -- Persons covered. -- (a) Any person who, in this or

27

any other jurisdiction: (1) has been convicted of a criminal offense against a victim who is a

28

minor, (2) has been convicted of a sexually violent offense, (3) has been determined to be a

29

sexually violent predator, (4) has committed an aggravated offense as defined in section 11-37.1-

30

2, or (5) is a recidivist, as defined in section 11-37.1-4, shall be required to register his or her

31

current address with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the city or town in

32

which the person having the duty to register resides for the time period specified in section 11-

33

37.1-4.

34

      (b) Any person who is: (1) a nonresident worker who has committed an offense that is

 

LC004285 - Page 3 of 37

1

subject to registration in the state of his or her residence and who is employed or carrying on a

2

vocation in Rhode Island as defined in section 11-37.1-2(g), or (2) a nonresident student as

3

defined by section 11-37.1-2(m) who has committed an offense that is subject to registration in

4

the state of his or her residence and who is attending an educational institution in Rhode Island,

5

shall be required to register his or her current address and the address of his or her place of

6

employment or school attended with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over

7

the city or town in which the nonresident worker or student is employed or attending school.

8

      (c) Any person having a duty to register as a sex offender in subsection (a) of this section

9

who is enrolled at, employed at or carrying on a vocation at an institution of higher education

10

shall have an additional duty to register the information described in subsection (a) of this section

11

with the local law enforcement agency in the city or town where the primary campus of the

12

institution of higher education at which the person is enrolled, employed or carrying on a

13

vocation who is located for the period of time they are enrolled at, employed at or carrying on a

14

vocation at the institution of higher education.

15

      (d) If a person is registered as a sex offender in another state for an offense which, if

16

committed within the jurisdiction of this state, would require the person to register as a sex

17

offender, then that person, upon moving to or returning to this state, shall register as a sex

18

offender in the same manner as if the offense were committed within Rhode Island.

19

     11-37.1-4. Duration of registration -- Frequency of registration. -- (a) Annual

20

registration. - Any person required to register under section 11-37.1-3(a)(1) or (2) shall annually

21

register with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the city or town in which

22

the person having the duty to register resides for a period of ten (10) years from the expiration of

23

sentence for the offense and shall verify his or her address with the agency on a quarterly basis

24

for the first two (2) years of the period unless the person has been determined to be a sexually

25

violent predator in accordance with section 11-37.1-6 or unless the person is required to register

26

for the life of that person in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section.

27

      (b) Sexually violent predators. - Any person who has been determined to be a sexually

28

violent predator in accordance with the provisions of section 11-37.1-6 shall be required to

29

annually register in person with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the

30

city or town in which the person having the duty to register resides for the life of that person and

31

to verify his or her address on a quarterly basis for the life of that person.

32

      (c) Recidivists and aggravated crime offenders. - Any person required to register under

33

section 11-37.1-3 and who has one or more prior convictions for any offense described in section

34

11-37.1-2 or has been convicted of an aggravated offense as defined in section 11-37.1-2 shall

 

LC004285 - Page 4 of 37

1

annually register in person with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the

2

city or town in which the person having the duty to register resides for the life of that person and

3

to verify his or her address on a quarterly basis for the life of that person.

4

      (d) Nonresident workers and students. - Any nonresident person required to register

5

pursuant to section 11-37.1-3(b)(1) or (2) shall annually register in person with the local law

6

enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the city or town in which the person having the duty

7

to register is employed or attends school for the period of time that the person is employed in

8

Rhode Island or is attending school in Rhode Island.

9

      (e) Initial registration; Incarcerated individuals. - All persons required to register under

10

this chapter who are sentenced to a period of confinement shall perform their initial registration

11

by appearing in person at the local law enforcement agency in the city or town in which the

12

person intends to reside within twenty-four (24) hours of their release from confinement.

13

      (f) Initial registration; Non-incarcerated individuals. - All persons required to register

14

under this chapter who are convicted in Rhode Island and who are not sentenced to serve a term

15

of incarceration or confinement shall perform their initial registration by appearing in person at

16

the local law enforcement agency in the city or town in which the person intends to reside within

17

twenty-four (24) hours of being sentenced.

18

      (g) Initial registration; Individuals relocating to Rhode Island - All persons required to

19

register under this chapter who are moving their residence to Rhode Island from another

20

jurisdiction shall perform their initial registration by appearing in person at the local law

21

enforcement agency in the city or town in which the person intends to reside within twenty-four

22

(24) hours of their arrival in Rhode Island.

23

      (h) Initial registration; Nonresident workers and students. - All nonresident workers or

24

students who are required to register under this chapter shall perform their initial registration by

25

appearing in person at the local law enforcement agency in the city or town in which the person is

26

employed or is attending school within twenty-four (24) hours of their first day of their personal

27

attendance at their place of employment or school.

28

      (i) Tolling provision. - Where, during the period in which any person is required to

29

register, a person required to register under this chapter is incarcerated or re-incarcerated for any

30

offense or is civilly committed, the person's registration requirements shall be tolled during the

31

subsequent incarceration, re-incarceration or commitment.

32

      (j) Juveniles. - Any juvenile having the duty to register under subsections (b) and (c) of

33

this section shall be required to annually register in person with the local law enforcement agency

34

having jurisdiction over the city or town in which the juvenile having the duty to register resides

 

LC004285 - Page 5 of 37

1

for fifteen (15) years subsequent to the date of release from confinement or placement in the

2

community or probation for such offense or offenses and to verify his or her address on a

3

quarterly basis for said fifteen (15) years. However, if a juvenile is adjudicated delinquent under

4

section 11-37-8.1 or 11-37-8.3, the court shall assess the totality of the circumstances of the

5

offense and if the court makes a finding that the conduct of the parties is criminal only because of

6

the age of the victim, the court may have discretion to order the juvenile to register as a sex

7

offender as long as the court deems it appropriate to protect the community and to rehabilitate the

8

juvenile offender. Registration shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

9

     11-37.1-5. Registration requirement upon release, parole, or probation. -- (a) (1)

10

Duty of state officials. - If a person who is required to register under this chapter is released from

11

prison, then the official in charge of the place of confinement or his or her designee shall comply

12

with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section;

13

      (2) If a person who is required to register under this chapter is placed on parole, the

14

executive secretary of the parole board shall comply with the provisions of subsection (b) of this

15

section;

16

      (3) If a person who is required to register under this chapter is released on probation or

17

placed on home confinement, then the assistant administrator or the division of probation shall

18

comply with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section;

19

      (4) If a person who is required to register under this chapter is released from a juvenile

20

correctional facility, either outright or on some form of supervised release, then the person in

21

charge of the institution shall comply with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section;

22

      (5) If a person who is required to register under this chapter is placed on juvenile

23

probation, then the person in charge of the program shall comply with the provisions of

24

subsection (b) of this section; or

25

      (6) If a person who is required to register under this chapter has moved into this state

26

under the provisions of an interstate compact providing for supervision of the terms of his or her

27

release by agents of this state, then the administrator of the interstate compact shall comply with

28

the provisions of subsection (b) of this section.

29

      (b) Notification of registration requirements. - The person designated with the

30

responsibility for the notification requirements of this chapter shall, prior to the release of any

31

person required to register under this chapter:

32

      (1) Inform the person of the duty to register and obtain the information required for

33

registration;

34

      (2) Inform the person that if the person changes his or her residence address, the person

 

LC004285 - Page 6 of 37

1

shall give the new address to a designated state law enforcement agency in writing within twenty-

2

four (24) hours;

3

      (3) Inform the person that if the person changes residence to another state, the person

4

shall register the new address with the law enforcement agency with whom the person last

5

registered, and the person is also required to register with a designated law enforcement agency in

6

the new state in accordance with the new state's sex offender registration statute;

7

      (4) Inform the person that if the person works or attends school in another state in which

8

he or she does not reside, the person shall register his or her employment address or address of

9

the educational institution he or she attends as required by the other state;

10

      (5) Obtain fingerprints and a photograph of the person if these have not already been

11

obtained in connection with the offense that triggers registration; and

12

      (6) Require the person to read and sign a form approved by the attorney general stating

13

that the duty of the person to register under this section has been explained.

14

      (c) Registration information. - In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) of this

15

section, for a person required to register under section 11-37.1-3, then the person responsible for

16

the notification required under subsection (b) of this section shall obtain the name of the person,

17

identifying factors, anticipated future residence, juvenile and adult offense history, and

18

documentation of any treatment received for the mental abnormality or personality disorder of the

19

person. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of chapter 37.3 of title 5 pertaining to

20

health care privileges, the provisions of section 9-17-24 pertaining to the privilege of witnesses,

21

or the provisions of section 42-72-8 pertaining to confidentiality of records of the department of

22

children, youth and families, shall not be effective so as to prevent the transfer of information or

23

the testimony of any person possessing any information required by this subsection. Any

24

information so obtained may be transferred to the sex offender board of review and may be used

25

by them in making a determination of whether or not the person is a sexually violent predator or

26

in determining the level of notification under section 11-37.1-12. The information may also be

27

used by the sentencing court or by any court reviewing the level of notification determined by the

28

sex offender board of review or reviewing any conviction or sentence which requires registration

29

under this chapter. Provided, information so obtained shall not be admissible in any other judicial

30

proceeding against the subject of the information except to determine a person's status as a

31

sexually violent predator or to determine or review the level of notification to the community

32

which has been made by a court or the sex offender board of review. Provided, further, that this

33

subsection shall not be applicable to any person for whom an appeal is pending for which a final

34

judgment of conviction has not been entered, until the time that a final conviction has been

 

LC004285 - Page 7 of 37

1

entered.

2

     11-37.1-6. Community notification. -- (1) (a) Sex Offender Board of Review. - The

3

governor shall appoint eight (8) persons including experts in the field of the behavior and

4

treatment of sexual offenders by reason of training and experience, victim's rights advocates, and

5

law enforcement representatives to the sex offender board of review. At least one member of the

6

sex offender board of review shall be a qualified child/adolescent sex offender treatment

7

specialist. These persons shall serve at the pleasure of the governor or until their successor has

8

been duly qualified and appointed.

9

      (b) Duties of the Board. - Upon passage of this legislation, the sex offender board of

10

review will utilize a validated risk assessment instrument and other material approved by the

11

parole board to determine the level of risk an offender poses to the community and to assist the

12

sentencing court in determining if that person is a sexually violent predator. If the offender is a

13

juvenile, the Department of Children, Youth & Families shall select and administer a risk

14

instrument appropriate for juveniles and shall submit the results to the sex offender board of

15

review.

16

      (c) Duties of other state agencies. - Six (6) months prior to release of any person having

17

a duty to register under section 11-37.1-3, or upon sentencing of a person having a duty to

18

register under section 11-37.1-3, if the offender is not incarcerated, the agency having supervisory

19

responsibility and the Interstate Compact Unit of the Rhode Island department of corrections

20

upon acceptance of supervision of a sexual offender from the sending state shall refer the person

21

to the sex offender board of review, together with any reports and documentation that may be

22

helpful to the board, for a determination as to the level of risk an offender poses to the community

23

and to assist the sentencing court in determining if that person is a sexually violent predator.

24

      (2) (i) The board shall within thirty (30) days of a referral of a person shall conduct the

25

validated risk assessment, review other material provided by the agency having supervisory

26

responsibility and assign a risk of re-offense level to the offender. In addition, the board may find

27

that, based on the assessment score and other material, that the person may possess a mental

28

abnormality or personality disorder that makes the person likely to engage in sexually violent

29

predatory offenses. In these cases, the committee shall ask the parole board psychiatrist or if the

30

offender is a juvenile, a DCYF psychiatrist to conduct a sex offender evaluation to determine if

31

the offender possesses a mental abnormality or personality disorder that affects the emotional or

32

volitional capacity of the person in a manner that predisposes that person to the commission of

33

criminal sexual acts to a degree that makes the person a menace to the health and safety of other

34

persons.

 

LC004285 - Page 8 of 37

1

      (ii) Upon receipt of a sex offender evaluation that suggests there is sufficient evidence

2

and documentation to suggest that a person may be a sexually violent predator, the sex offender

3

board of review shall forward a report to the attorney general for consideration by the court.

4

      (iii) Upon receipt of a report from the attorney general, the court, after notice to the

5

offender and his or her counsel, shall upon consideration of the report and other materials, make a

6

determination as to whether or not a person is a sexually violent predator.

7

      (iv) Effect of determination. - In the event that a determination is made by the court that

8

a person is a sexually violent predator, that person shall be required to register and verify his or

9

her address in accordance with sections 11-37.1-3, 11-37.1-4 and 11-37.1-8(b).

10

      (3) No cause of action or liability shall arise or exist against the committee or any

11

member or agent of the board as a result of the failure of the board to make any findings required

12

by this section within the time period specified by subdivision (2) of this subsection.

13

      (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board shall have access to all

14

relevant records and information in the possession of any state official or agency having a duty

15

under sections 11-37.1-5(a)(1) through (6), relating to the juvenile and adult offenders under

16

review by the board, including, but not limited to, police reports; prosecutor's statements of

17

probable cause, presentence investigations and reports, complete judgments and sentences,

18

current classification referrals, juvenile and adult criminal history records, violation and

19

disciplinary reports, all psychological evaluations and psychiatric evaluations, psychiatric

20

hospital records, sex offender evaluations and treatment reports, substance abuse evaluations and

21

treatment reports to the extent allowed by federal law. Records and information obtained by the

22

board of review under this subsection shall remain confidential, provided that the board of review

23

may disclose the records and information to the sentencing court in accordance with the

24

provisions of this chapter.

25

      (5) Duties of the director of the department of corrections/director of the department of

26

children, youth and families. Not less than sixty (60) days prior to release of any person subject to

27

this chapter, the director of the department of corrections or, in the event the person is a juvenile,

28

the director of the department of children, youth and families, or their respective designees, shall

29

seek verification that the duties of the sex offender board of review and any other state agency

30

have been fulfilled as specified in section 11-37.1-6 et seq. In the event that the director of the

31

department of corrections or, in the event the person is a juvenile, the director of the department

32

of children, youth and families, cannot obtain verification, he or she shall, no less than thirty (30)

33

days prior to the release of a person subject to this chapter, file with the presiding judge of the

34

superior court or, in the case of a juvenile, the chief judge of the family court, a petition in the

 

LC004285 - Page 9 of 37

1

nature of mandamus, seeking compliance with this chapter. The court shall promptly, but no less

2

than ten (10) days from the filing of the petition, hold a hearing on the petition. The court may, in

3

its discretion, enter any orders consistent with this chapter to compel compliance, however, the

4

court may not delay the release of any person subject to this chapter for the failure of the sex

5

offender board of review or any state agency to fulfill its obligations under this chapter.

6

     11-37.1-7. Transfer of information to designated state law enforcement agency and

7

the FBI. -- The person required to provide notice in accordance with section 11-37.1-5(b) and the

8

local law enforcement agencies required to register persons who have a duty to register in

9

accordance with section 11-37.1-4, shall, within three (3) days after receipt of information

10

defined in that section, forward it to a designated state law enforcement agency. The state law

11

enforcement agency shall immediately enter the information into the appropriate state law

12

enforcement record system. The state law enforcement agency shall also immediately transmit the

13

conviction data and fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

14

     11-37.1-8. Verification of address. -- (a) For a person required to register under section

15

11-37.1-3(a)(1) or (2) on each anniversary of the person's initial registration date during the

16

period in which the person is required to register:

17

      (1) The sex offender community notification unit of the parole board shall mail a non-

18

forwardable verification form to the last reported address of the person;

19

      (2) The person shall mail the verification form to the sex offender community

20

notification unit within ten (10) days after receipt of the form;

21

      (3) The verification form shall be signed by the person, and state that the person still

22

resides at the address last reported to the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over

23

the city or town in which the person having the duty to register resides; and

24

      (4) If the person fails to mail the verification form to the sex offender community

25

notification unit of the parole board within ten (10) days after receipt of the form, the person shall

26

be in violation of this chapter unless the person proves that the person has not changed the

27

residence address from that which he or she last registered.

28

      (b) The provisions of subdivisions (1) -- (4) of this section shall apply to a person

29

required to register under section 11-37.1-3(a)(3), (4), or (5), except that the registration address

30

verification shall take place quarterly.

31

     11-37.1-9. Notification of local law enforcement agencies of changes in address. -- (a)

32

Duty of local law enforcement agency; Interstate and Intrastate moves. - For any person required

33

to register under this chapter, the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the

34

person is residing, shall, if the person changes residence to another state or within the state, notify

 

LC004285 - Page 10 of 37

1

the law enforcement agency with which the person must register in the new state, if the new state

2

has a registration requirement and notify the designated state law enforcement agency.

3

      (b) Duty of person required to register; Interstate moves. - A person who has been

4

convicted of an offense which required registration under this chapter shall register the new

5

address with a designated state law enforcement agency in another state to which the person

6

moves in accordance with the new state's sex offender registration statute. Prior to the change of

7

residence to a new state, the person shall notify the local law enforcement agency within this state

8

with which the person is registered of the intended move and of the new address within the new

9

state.

10

      (c) Duty of law enforcement agency; Changes of residence within the state. - For any

11

person required to register under this chapter, the local law enforcement agency having

12

jurisdiction where the person is residing, shall, if the person changes residence to another city or

13

town in Rhode Island, notify the local law enforcement agency with which the person must

14

register in the new city or town and notify the state designated law enforcement agency.

15

      (d) Duty of person required to register; Changes of residence within the state. - A person

16

who has been convicted of an offense which requires registration under this chapter and who

17

changes his or her residence address to another city or town in Rhode Island, shall notify the local

18

law enforcement agency in the city or town from which the person is moving before the person

19

establishes residence in the new location, and shall register with the local law enforcement

20

agency in the city or town in which the person is moving not later than twenty-four (24) hours

21

after the person establishes residence in the new city or town. A person who has been convicted

22

of an offense which requires registration under this chapter and who changes his or her residence

23

within a city or town in Rhode Island shall notify the local law enforcement agency in the city or

24

town not later than twenty-four (24) hours after the person changes the residence within the city

25

or town.

26

     11-37.1-10. Penalties. -- (a) Any person who is required to register or verify his or her

27

address or give notice of a change of address or residence, who knowingly fails to do so, shall be

28

guilty of a felony and upon conviction be imprisoned not more than ten (10) years, or fined not

29

more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.

30

      (b) Any person who is required to register or verify his or her address or give notice of a

31

change of address or residence, who knowingly fails to do so, shall be in violation of the terms of

32

his or her release, regardless of whether or not the term was a special condition of his or her

33

release on probation, parole or home confinement or other form of supervised release.

34

      (c) Any person who is required to register or verify his or her address, who knowingly

 

LC004285 - Page 11 of 37

1

resides within three hundred feet (300') of any school, public or private, shall be guilty of a felony

2

and upon conviction may be imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or fined not more than five

3

thousand dollars ($5,000) or both.

4

     11-37.1-11. Release of information. -- (a) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter

5

or as provided in subsections (b) or (c) of this section, no information obtained under this chapter

6

shall be released or transferred without the written consent of the person or his or her authorized

7

representative.

8

      (b) No consent for release or transfer of information obtained under this chapter shall be

9

required in the following instances:

10

      (1) Information may be disclosed to law enforcement agencies for law enforcement

11

purposes;

12

      (2) Information may be disclosed to government agencies conducting confidential

13

background checks;

14

      (3) The designated law enforcement agency and any local law enforcement agency

15

authorized by the state agency may release relevant information that is necessary to protect

16

individuals concerning a specific person required to register under this chapter, except that the

17

identity of a victim of an offense that requires registration under this section shall not be released;

18

      (4) Information may be released or disseminated in accordance with the provisions of

19

section 11-37.1-12; and

20

      (5) Information shall be disclosed by the local police department to the general public in

21

a city or town for those registered offenders determined to be either a level 2 or level 3 offender

22

as determined consistent with parole board guidelines.

23

      (c) Any local law enforcement agency shall release relevant information collected

24

pursuant to section 11-37.1-3(c) to any campus police agency appointed pursuant to section 16-

25

15-2 or police for private institutions appointed pursuant to section 12-2.1-1 for any person

26

having a duty to register who is enrolled in, employed by or carrying on a vocation at an

27

institution of higher education. That agency may release relevant information that is necessary to

28

protect individuals concerning a specific person required to register under this chapter, except that

29

the identity of a victim of an offense that requires registration under this section shall not be

30

released.

31

     11-37.1-12. Rules and regulations for community notification. -- (a) The parole board

32

shall promulgate guidelines and procedures for notification required pursuant to the provisions of

33

this section.

34

      (b) The regulations shall provide for three (3) levels of notification depending upon the

 

LC004285 - Page 12 of 37

1

risk of re-offense level of the sex offender determined by the sex offender board of review as

2

outlined in section 11-37.1-6(b):

3

      (1) If risk of re-offense is low, law enforcement agencies and any individuals identified

4

in accordance with the parole board guidelines shall be notified;

5

      (2) If risk of re-offense is moderate, organizations in the community likely to encounter

6

the person registered shall be notified in accordance with the parole board's guidelines, in

7

addition to the notice required by subdivision (1) of this subsection;

8

      (3) If risk of re-offense is high, the members of the public likely to encounter the person

9

registered shall be notified through means in accordance with the parole board's guidelines

10

designed to reach members of the public likely to encounter the person registered, in addition to

11

the notice required by subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.

12

      (4) The sex offender community notification unit is authorized and directed to utilize the

13

Rhode Island state police web site and the Rhode Island Unified Court System website for the

14

public release of identifying information of level two and level three sex offenders who have been

15

convicted, provided that no identifying information of a juvenile shall be listed on the web site.

16

      (5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sex offender review board shall have

17

access to all relevant records and information in the possession of any state official or agency

18

having a duty under section 11-37.1-5(a)(1) through (6) relating to juvenile and adult offenders

19

under review by the sex offender review board, including, but not limited to, police reports,

20

prosecutors statements of probable cause, pre-sentence investigations and reports, complete

21

judgments and sentences, current classification referrals, juvenile and adult criminal history

22

records, violation and disciplinary reports, all psychological evaluations and psychiatric

23

evaluations, psychiatric hospital records, sex offender evaluations and treatment reports,

24

substance abuse evaluations and treatment reports to the extent allowed by federal law. Records

25

and information obtained by the sex offender review board under this subsection shall remain

26

confidential, provided that the parole board may disclose the records and information to the board

27

of review, the sentencing court, and/or law enforcement agencies in accordance with the

28

provisions of this chapter.

29

     11-37.1-13. Notification procedures for tiers two (2) and three (3). -- If after review of

30

the evidence pertaining to a person required to register according to the criteria set forth in section

31

11-37.1-12, the board is satisfied that risk of re-offense by the person required to register is either

32

moderate or high, the sex offender community notification unit of the parole board shall notify

33

the person, in writing, by letter or other documentation:

34

      (1) That community notification will be made not less than ten (10) business days from

 

LC004285 - Page 13 of 37

1

the date of the letter or other document evidencing an intent to promulgate a community notice in

2

accordance with section 11-37.1-12(b), together with the level, form and nature that the

3

notification will take;

4

      (2) That unless an application for review of the action is filed within the time specified

5

by the letter or other documentation, which in any case shall not be less than ten (10) business

6

days, by the adult offender subject to community notification, with the criminal calendar judge of

7

the superior court for the county in which the adult offender who is the subject of notification

8

resides or intends to reside upon release, or by the juvenile offender subject to community

9

notification over whom the family court exercises jurisdiction, with the clerk of the family court

10

for the county in which the juvenile offender resides or intends to reside upon release, whose

11

name shall be specified in the letter or other document, requesting a review of the determination

12

to promulgate a community notification, that notification will take place;

13

      (3) That the person has a right to be represented by counsel of their own choosing or by

14

an attorney appointed by the court, if the court determines that he or she cannot afford counsel;

15

and

16

      (4) That the filing of an application for review may be accomplished, in the absence of

17

counsel, by delivering a letter objecting to the notification and/or its level, form or nature,

18

together with a copy of the letter or other documentation describing the proposed community

19

notification, addressed to the judge described in the communication to the clerk of the superior

20

court in the county in which the adult offender resides or intends to reside upon release, or in the

21

case of juvenile offenders over whom the family court exercises jurisdiction, addressed to the

22

judge described in the communication to the clerk of the family court in the county in which the

23

juvenile offender resides or intends to reside upon release.

24

     11-37.1-14. Preliminary proceedings on objection to community notification --

25

Procedures. -- Upon receipt of a request from a person subject to community notification under

26

section 11-37.1-12(b), the superior court, or the family court of the county in which the person

27

resides or intends to reside upon release, shall:

28

      (1) Set a date for hearing and decision on the matter;

29

      (2) Provide notice of the date for the hearing to both the applicant or his or her counsel

30

and to the attorney general;

31

      (3) Appoint counsel for the applicant if he or she cannot afford one; and

32

      (4) Direct that the attorney general promptly provide copies of all papers, documents and

33

other materials which formed the basis for the determination of the level and manner of

34

community notification be provided to the court and the applicant or his or her counsel.

 

LC004285 - Page 14 of 37

1

     11-37.1-15. Application hearing procedures. -- (a) On the date set for the hearing on

2

the review of the application the court shall:

3

      (1) In camera, review the materials provided in accordance with section 11-37.1-14(4);

4

      (2) Determine whether and to what extent the production of witnesses and cross

5

examination shall be required or permitted depending on the complexities of the matter involved,

6

the extent of doubt concerning the correctness of the level, nature and extent of the notification

7

proposed; and

8

      (3) Presume the need for a prompt determination.

9

      (b) In any application hearing proceeding the rules of evidence shall not apply and the

10

court may rely on documentary presentations, including expert opinion on all issues.

11

      (c) Nothing in this section should be construed to allow the applicant to relitigate the

12

adjudication of guilt.

13

     11-37.1-16. Application review -- Burden of production and persuasion. -- (a) In any

14

proceeding under this chapter, the state shall have the burden of going forward, which burden

15

shall be satisfied by the presentation of a prima facie case that justifies the proposed level of and

16

manner of notification.

17

      (b) For purposes of this section, "prima facie case" means:

18

      (1) A validated risk assessment tool has been used to determine the risk of re-offense;

19

      (2) Reasonable means have been used to collect the information used in the validated

20

assessment tool.

21

      (c) Upon presentation of a prima facie case, the court shall affirm the determination of

22

the level and nature of the community notification, unless it is persuaded by a preponderance of

23

the evidence that the determination on either the level of notification of the manner in which it is

24

proposed to be accomplished is not in compliance with this chapter or the guidelines adopted

25

pursuant to this chapter.

26

      Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the release of information

27

pertaining to a person who has been convicted of any of the violations of any offense listed in

28

section 11-37.1-2, so long as the information has been gathered or obtained through sources other

29

than the registration process provided by this chapter. Provided further, that nothing in this

30

section shall be deemed to authorize the release of any information pertaining to any victim of

31

any offense listed in section 11-37.1-2.

32

     11-37.1-17. Immunity for good faith conduct. -- Any person who performs any act or

33

fails to perform any act pursuant to this chapter shall have good faith immunity from any liability,

34

civil or criminal, that might be incurred as a result of the performance of or the failure to perform

 

LC004285 - Page 15 of 37

1

any act pursuant to this chapter.

2

     11-37.1-18. Continuation of prior duty to register. -- Any person who pursuant to the

3

provisions of former section 11-37-16 had a duty to register under that section after having been

4

convicted of any violation of the provisions of chapter 37 of this title, or for a conviction in

5

another state of first degree sexual assault which if committed in this state would constitute a

6

violation of chapter 37 of this title, shall have the duty to register in accordance with the

7

provisions of this chapter. Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate any duty to

8

register which exists or existed under the provisions of former section 11-37-16.

9

     11-37.1-19. Severability. -- If any provision of this chapter or its application to any

10

person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, the invalidity or unconstitutionality

11

shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without

12

the invalid or unconstitutional provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this

13

chapter are declared to be severable.

14

     11-37.1-20. Remand to sex offender board of review. -- Upon application by the

15

attorney general or counsel for the sex offender, the court may remand any case pending

16

adjudication of sexually violent predator status back to the sex offender board of review for

17

further determination of sexually violent predator status and community notification level

18

pursuant to section 11-37.1-6.

19

     SECTION 2. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby

20

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

21

CHAPTER 37.23

22

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND NOTIFICATION ADVISORY

23

     11-37.23-1. Establishment of advisory council. -- (a) An advisory council is hereby

24

established to consult with and provide recommendations to the department of public safety

25

concerning the rules and regulations to be promulgated pursuant to this act in order to implement

26

the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection

27

and Safety Act of 2006 Pub. L. (109-248), 42 U.S.C. 16911 et seq., as amended. The council shall

28

consist of department of public safety, the attorney general, the department of corrections, the

29

parole board’s sex offender community notification unit, the judiciary, the Rhode Island police

30

chiefs association, members of local law enforcement, and the public defender. The

31

commissioner of the department of public safety shall appoint persons who, by experience or

32

training, have a personal interest or professional expertise in law enforcement, crime prevention,

33

victim advocacy, criminology, psychology, parole, public education or community relations.

34

     (b) After consultation with members of the advisory council established pursuant to this

 

LC004285 - Page 16 of 37

1

section and within six (6) months of the appointment of such members, the department of public

2

safety shall promulgate rules and regulations required pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

3

     (c) One year after the effective date of this section, the department of public safety and

4

the council shall conduct a comprehensive review of the guidelines to determine whether any

5

changes or revisions should be promulgated. Upon completion of that review and the submission

6

of any recommendations thereon, the council shall expire.

7

     SECTION 3. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby

8

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

9

CHAPTER 37.4

10

SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION ACT

11

     11-37.4-1. Short title. -- This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Sexual

12

Offender Registration and Community Notification Act."

13

     11-37.4-2. Purpose. -- The intent of this chapter is to implement the federal Sex Offender

14

Registration and Notification Act ("SORNA"), Title I of Pub. L. 109-248, and shall be interpreted

15

liberally to comply with the terms and conditions of SORNA as presently written or hereafter

16

amended.

17

     11-37.4-3. Definitions. – As used in this chapter:

18

     (1) “Abscond” means to not register as required, or to relocate to some unknown place

19

other than the registered place of residence, or to conceal or in an attempt to avoid registration or

20

verification of registration.

21

     (2) “Convicted” or “conviction” means and includes any instance where:

22

     (i) A judgment of conviction has been entered against any person for a sex offense,

23

regardless of whether an appeal is pending; or

24

     (ii) There has been a finding of guilty for any sex offense, regardless of whether an

25

appeal is pending; or

26

     (iii) There has been a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for any sex offense, regardless of

27

whether an appeal is pending; or

28

     (iv) There has been an admission of sufficient facts for any sex offense, regardless of

29

whether an appeal is pending; or

30

     (v) There has been a finding of delinquency for any sex offense, regardless of whether an

31

appeal is pending, but only if the offender is fourteen (14) years of age or older at the time of the

32

offense and the offense adjudicated was comparable to or more severe than aggravated sexual

33

abuse, as described in 18 U.S.C. 2241, or was an attempt or conspiracy to commit such an

34

offense.

 

LC004285 - Page 17 of 37

1

     (vi) Provided, in the event that a conviction, as defined in this subsection, has been

2

overturned, reversed, or otherwise vacated, the person who was the subject of the conviction shall

3

no longer be required to register as required by this chapter and any records of a registration shall

4

be destroyed. Provided, further that nothing in this section shall be construed to eliminate a

5

registration requirement of a person who is again convicted of an offense for which registration is

6

required by this chapter.

7

     (3) "Custodial authority" means the victim is:

8

     (i) Under the offender's control by force;

9

     (ii) Under the offender's control by threat or intimidation of serious violence;

10

     (iii) Incapable of appraising the nature of his or her conduct;

11

     (iv) Physically incapable of communicating non-consent;

12

     (v) Rendered unconscious by the offender; or

13

     (vi) Involuntarily drugged by the offender.

14

     (4) "Department" means the department of public safety or its designee.

15

     (5) "Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website” ("NSOPW") means the public

16

website maintained by the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 16920.

17

     (6) "Employee" means and includes, but is not limited to, an individual who is self-

18

employed or works for any other entity, regardless of compensation.

19

     (7) "Foreign convictions" means a conviction obtained outside of the United States.

20

     (8) "Habitually lives or sleeps" means living in a place with some regularity, and with

21

reference to where the sex offender actually lives, which could be some place other than a

22

mailing address or primary address but would entail a place where the sex offender lives on an

23

intermittent basis.

24

     (9) "Immediate" or "immediately" means within twenty four (24) hours.

25

     (10) "Imprisonment" means incarceration pursuant to a conviction, regardless of the

26

nature of the institution in which the offender serves the sentence. The term includes, but is not

27

limited to, confinement in a state prison as well as in a federal, military, foreign, BIA, private or

28

contract facility, a local or tribal jail, or a juvenile detention facility. Persons under home

29

confinement following conviction of a covered sex offense are required to register pursuant to the

30

provisions of this chapter during their period of home confinement.

31

     (11) "Jurisdiction" means any of the fifty (50) states, the District of Columbia, the

32

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern

33

Marian Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and any Indian tribe.

34

     (12) "Minor" means an individual who has not attained the age of eighteen (18) years.

 

LC004285 - Page 18 of 37

1

     (13) "National Sex Offender Registry" (NSOR) means the national database maintained

2

by the attorney general of the United States pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 16919.

3

     (14) "Reside(s)" means, with respect to an individual, the location of the individual's

4

home or other place where the individual habitually lives or sleeps.

5

     (15) “School” includes, but is not limited to:

6

     (i) A child day care center that, on a regular or irregular basis, receives any child under

7

the age of sixteen (16) years, for the purpose of care and/or supervision, not in a home or

8

residence, apart from the child's parent or guardian for any part of a twenty-four (24) hour day

9

irrespective of compensation or reward.

10

     (ii) Private nursery schools and other regular programs of educational services to children

11

between the ages of two (2) years eight (8) months and six (6) years of age where the schools and

12

programs operate one or more sessions daily; or

13

     (iii) An elementary or secondary school, whether public or private.

14

     (16) "Sexual act" means:

15

     (i) Sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, and anal intercourse, or any other intrusion,

16

however slight, by any part of a person's body or by any object into the genital or anal openings

17

of another person's body, or the victim's own body upon the accused’s instruction, but emission of

18

semen is not required; or

19

     (ii) The intentional touching, not through clothing, of the genitalia of a person under the

20

age of sixteen (16) with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the

21

sexual desires of another.

22

     (17) "Sexual contact" means the intentional touching of the victim's or accused's intimate

23

parts, clothed or unclothed, if that intentional touching can be reasonably construed as intended

24

by the accused to be for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or assault.

25

     (18) "Sex offense" means:

26

     (i) Those offenses contained in 42 U.S.C. 16911(5) and those offenses enumerated in §

27

11-37.4-4 of this chapter or any other covered offense under law.

28

     (ii) An offense involving consensual sexual acts or contact is not a sex offense for the

29

purposes of this chapter if the victim was an adult, unless the adult was under custodial authority

30

at the time of the offense, or if the victim was thirteen (13) years of age or older and the offender

31

was not more than four (4) years older than the victim.

32

     (19) "Sex offender" means a person who is or ever has been convicted of a sex offense,

33

including, but not limited to:

34

     (i) A person already registered or subject to pre-existing sex offender registration

 

LC004285 - Page 19 of 37

1

requirements under the state’s law; or

2

     (ii) A person incarcerated or under the supervision of the state, including, but not limited

3

to, serving a suspended sentence, serving a term of probation, or serving a deferred sentence,

4

whether for a covered sex offense or another crime.

5

     (20) "Sex Offender Registry" means the registry of sex offenders and notification

6

program maintained by the department.

7

     (21) "SMART Office" means the office of sex offender sentencing, monitoring,

8

apprehending, registering, and tracking, which was established within the United States

9

department of justice under the general authority of the Attorney General of the United States

10

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 16945.

11

     (22) "SORNA" means the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Title I of the

12

Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 Pub. L. (109-248), 42 U.S.C. 16911 et

13

seq., as amended.

14

     (23) "State" means the state of Rhode Island.

15

     (24) "Student" means a person who enrolls in or attends a private or public education

16

institution, including a secondary school, trade or professional school, or an institution of higher

17

education.

18

     (25) "Tier I Sex Offender" means a sex offender that has been convicted of a "Tier I" sex

19

offense as defined in § 11-37.4-9(a).

20

     (26) "Tier II Sex Offender" means a sex offender that has been convicted of a "Tier II"

21

sex offense as defined in § 11-37.4-9(b), or who is subject to the recidivist provisions of § 11-

22

37.4-10(b)(1).

23

     (27) "Tier III Sex Offender" means a sex offender that has been convicted of a "Tier III"

24

sex offense as defined in § 11-37.4-9(c), or who is subject to the recidivist provisions of § 11-

25

37.4-10(c)(1)

26

     11-37.4-4. Covered offenses. -- Individuals who have been or are convicted of any of the

27

following sex offenses, or convicted of an attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the following

28

sex offenses, are subject to the requirements of this chapter:

29

     (1) A conviction for any of the following state offenses:

30

     (i) Section 11-37-2 (first degree sexual assault);

31

     (ii) Section 11-37-4 (second degree sexual assault);

32

     (iii) Section 11-37-8.1 (first degree child molestation sexual assault);

33

     (iv) Section 11-37-8.3 (second degree child molestation sexual assault);

34

     (v) Section 11-37-8 (assault with intent to commit first degree sexual assault);

 

LC004285 - Page 20 of 37

1

     (vi) Section 11-26-1 (kidnapping) where the victim of the offense is sixteen (16) years or

2

older and under the age of eighteen (18) years;

3

     (vii) Section 11-26-1.4 (kidnapping of a minor);

4

     (viii) Section 11-26-2 (kidnapping with intent to extort) where the victim of the offense is

5

sixteen (16) years or older and under the age of eighteen (18) years;

6

     (ix) Section 11-5-1 (assault with intent to commit specified felonies) where the specified

7

felony is sexual assault;

8

     (x) Section 11-23-1 (murder) where the victim was a minor;

9

     (xi) Section 11-67-2 (involuntary servitude);

10

     (xii) Section 11-67-3 (trafficking of persons for forced labor or commercial sexual

11

activity);

12

     (xiii) Section 11-67-6 (sex trafficking of a minor);

13

     (xiv) Section 11-26-1.5 (enticement of children) with the intent to violate §§ 11-37-6, 11-

14

37-8, 11-37-8.1, or 11-37-8.3;

15

     (xv) Subsection 11-9-1 (b) and (c) (exploitation for commercial or immoral purposes);

16

     (xvi) Section 11-9-1.1 (child nudity prohibited in publications);

17

     (xvii) Section 11-9-1.3 (child pornography prohibited);

18

     (xviii) Section 11-37-8.8 (indecent solicitation of a minor);

19

     (xix) Section 11-1-10 (soliciting an incompetent person) where the underlying offense is

20

a violation of chapter 34.1 of this title and the victim or person solicited to commit the offense is

21

a minor;

22

     (xx) Section 11-37-6 (third degree sexual assault);

23

     (xxi) Section 11-64-2 (video voyeurism) where the victim of the offense is under the age

24

of eighteen (18) years; or

25

     (xxii) Section 11-37.4-19 (failure to register).

26

     (2) A conviction for any of the following offenses and any other offense hereafter

27

included in the definition of "sex offense" at 42 U.S.C. 16911(5);

28

     (i) 18 U.S.C. 1591 (sex trafficking of children);

29

     (ii) 18 U.S.C. 1801 (video voyeurism of a minor);

30

     (iii) 18 U.S.C. 2241(aggravated sexual abuse);

31

     (iv) 18 U.S.C. 2242 (sexual abuse);

32

     (v) 18 U.S.C. 2243 (sexual abuse of a minor or ward);

33

     (vi) 18 U.S.C. 2244 (abusive sexual contact);

34

     (vii) 18 U.S.C. 2245 (offenses resulting in death);

 

LC004285 - Page 21 of 37

1

     (viii) 18 U.S.C. 2251 (sexual exploitation of children);

2

     (xv) 18 U.S.C. 2251A (selling or buying of children);

3

     (x) 18 U.S.C. 2252 (material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor);

4

     (xi) 18 U.S.C. 2252A (material containing child pornography);

5

     (xii) 18 U.S.C. 2252B (misleading domain names on the Internet);

6

     (xiii) 18 U.S.C. 2252C (misleading words or digital images on the Internet);

7

     (xiv) 18 U.S.C. 2260 (production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for import

8

into the United States);

9

     (xv) 18 U.S.C. 2421 (transportation of a minor for illegal sexual activity);

10

     (xvi) 18 U.S.C. 2422 (coercion and enticement of a minor for illegal sexual activity);

11

     (xvii) 18 U.S.C. 2423 (Mann Act);

12

     (xviii) 18 U.S.C. 2424 (failure to file factual statement about an alien individual); or

13

     (xix) 18 U.S.C. 2425 (transmitting information about a minor to further criminal sexual

14

conduct).

15

     (3) Any conviction for a sex offense involving any conduct listed in this chapter that was

16

obtained under the laws of Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or under the

17

laws of any foreign country when the United States state department in its country reports on

18

human rights practices has concluded that an independent judiciary generally or vigorously

19

enforced the right to a fair trial in that country during the year in which the conviction occurred.

20

     (4) Any conviction for any military offense specified by the secretary of defense under

21

section 115(a)(8)(C)(i) of Pub. L. 105-119, codified at 10 U.S.C. 951 note.

22

     (5) Any conviction that required a person to register as a sex offender in another

23

jurisdiction. This includes, but is not limited to, any conviction committed in any jurisdiction that

24

involved or involves:

25

     (i) Any sexual act;

26

     (ii) Any sexual contact;

27

     (iii) Kidnapping of a minor;

28

     (iv) False imprisonment of a minor;

29

     (v) Solicitation to engage a minor in sexual acts or contact understood broadly to include

30

any direction, request, enticement, persuasion, or encouragement of a minor to engage in sexual

31

acts or contact;

32

     (vi) Use of a minor in a sexual performance;

33

     (vii) Solicitation of a minor to practice prostitution;

34

     (viii) Possession, production, or distribution of child pornography;

 

LC004285 - Page 22 of 37

1

     (ix) Criminal sexual acts or contact that involves physical contact with a minor or the use

2

of the Internet to facilitate or attempt such contact. This includes offenses whose elements

3

involve the use of other persons in prostitution, such as pandering, procuring, or pimping in cases

4

where the victim was a minor at the time of the offense;

5

     (x) Any conduct that by its nature is a sex offense against a minor; or

6

     (xi) Any offense similar to those outlined in:

7

     (A) 18 U.S.C. 1591 (sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion);

8

     (B) 18 U.S.C. 1801 (video voyeurism of a minor);

9

     (C) 18 U.S.C. 2241 (aggravated sexual abuse);

10

     (D) 18 U.S.C. 2242 (sexual abuse);

11

     (E) 18 U.S.C. 2244 (abusive sexual contact);

12

     (F) 18 U.S.C. 2422(b) (coercing a minor to engage in prostitution); or

13

     (G) 18 U.S.C. 2423(a) (transporting a minor to engage in illicit conduct).

14

     11-37.4-5. Creation of registries. -- (a) There is hereby established a sex offender

15

registry, which the department shall have the sole responsibility to maintain and operate pursuant

16

to the provisions of this chapter. The sex offender registry shall be maintained in an electronic

17

database by the department and shall be in a form capable of electronic transmission.

18

     (b) There is hereby established a public sex offender registry website, which the

19

department shall maintain and operate pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

20

     11-37.4-6. Registry required. -- Any person who qualifies as a sex offender, as defined

21

in § 11-37.4-3(19), must register with the department if the sex offender:

22

     (1) Is incarcerated by the state while completing any sentence for a covered sex offense,

23

regardless of whether it is the same jurisdiction as the jurisdiction of conviction, or intended

24

residence, employment or school attendance;

25

     (2) Is convicted by the state for a covered sex offense;

26

     (3) Resides within the state;

27

     (4) Is employed within the state; or

28

     (5) Is a student in any capacity within the state.

29

     11-37.4-7. Timing of registration. -- (a) A sex offender required to register with the

30

state under this chapter shall do so in the following timeframes:

31

     (1) If convicted by the state but not incarcerated, the sex offender must appear in person

32

to register with the department within twenty-four (24) hours of sentencing for the covered sex

33

offense;

34

     (2) If incarcerated by the state, whether or not they are convicted by the state, for a

 

LC004285 - Page 23 of 37

1

covered sex offense, the sex offender must register before being released from incarceration; or

2

     (3) Within twenty-four (24) hours of establishing a residence, commencing employment,

3

or becoming a student within the state, a sex offender must appear in person to register with the

4

department.

5

     (b) Any person who qualifies as a sex offender under § 11-37.4-3(19)(a) or (b) must

6

register with the department. The department shall provide the sex offender notice of the duty to

7

register and shall ensure the registration of aforementioned sex offenders within the following

8

timeframe to be calculated from the effective date of this chapter:

9

     (1) For tier I sex offenders, one year;

10

     (2) For tier II sex offenders, one hundred and eighty (180) days; and

11

     (3) For tier III sex offenders, ninety (90) days.

12

     (c) The department shall ensure:

13

     (1) That any sex offender incarcerated or sentenced by the state for a covered sex offense

14

completes his or her initial registration with the state;

15

     (2) That the sex offender reads, or has read to him/her, and signs a form stating that the

16

duty to register has been explained to him or her and that the sex offender understands the

17

registration and notification requirements;

18

     (3) That the sex offender is registered; and

19

     (4) That upon entry of the sex offender’s information into the registry, the information is

20

immediately forwarded to all other jurisdictions in which the sex offender is required to register

21

due to the sex offender’s residency, employment, or student status.

22

     11-37.4-8. Required information. -- (a) A sex offender who is required to register with

23

the state shall provide and the department shall obtain from covered sex offenders who are

24

required to register with the state all of the following information:

25

     (1) Relating to the sex offender’s name:

26

     (i) The sex offender’s full primary given name;

27

     (ii) Any and all nicknames, aliases, and pseudonyms regardless of the context in which

28

they are used; and

29

     (iii) Any and all ethnic or tribal names by which the sex offender is commonly known.

30

This does not include any religious or sacred names not otherwise commonly known.

31

     (2) Relating to the sex offender’s date of birth:

32

     (i) The sex offender’s actual date of birth; and

33

     (ii) Any other date of birth used by the sex offender.

34

     (3) Relating to the sex offender’s social security number:

 

LC004285 - Page 24 of 37

1

     (i) A valid social security number for the sex offender; and

2

     (ii) Any social security number the sex offender has used in the past, valid or otherwise.

3

     (4) A current digitized photograph of the sex offender. Unless the appearance of a sex

4

offender has not changed significantly, a digitized photograph shall be collected:

5

     (i) Every ninety (90) days for tier III sex offenders; and

6

     (ii) Every one hundred and eighty (180) days for tier II sex offenders; and

7

     (iii) Every year for tier I sex offenders.

8

     (5) An accurate description of the sex offender as follows:

9

     (i) A physical description;

10

     (ii) A general description of the sex offender’s physical appearance or characteristics; and

11

     (iii) Any identifying marks, such as, but not limited to, scars, moles, birthmarks, or

12

tattoos.

13

     (6) A photocopy of all of the sex offender’s valid driver’s licenses issued by any

14

jurisdiction.

15

     (7) A photocopy of any identification card used by the sex offender.

16

     (8) A photocopy of any passports used by the sex offender.

17

     (9) A photocopy of any and all immigration documents used by the sex offender.

18

     (10) Relating to the sex offender's residence:

19

     (i) The address of each residence at which the sex offender resides or will reside; and

20

     (ii) Any location or description that identifies where the sex offender habitually lives or

21

sleeps regardless of whether it pertains to a permanent residence or location otherwise identifiable

22

by a street or address.

23

     (11) Relating to the sex offender's telephone numbers:

24

     (i) Any and all landline telephone numbers;

25

     (ii) Any and all cellular telephone numbers; and

26

     (iii) Any and all telephone numbers and any other designations used by sex offenders for

27

the purposes of routing or self-identification in telephonic communications.

28

     (12) Relating to the sex offender's Internet related activity:

29

     (i) Any and all email addresses used by the sex offender;

30

     (ii) Any and all Instant Message addresses and identifiers;

31

     (iii) Any and all other designations or monitors used for self-identification in Internet

32

communications or postings; and

33

     (iv) Any and all designations used by the sex offender for the purpose of routing or self

34

identification and Internet communications or postings.

 

LC004285 - Page 25 of 37

1

     (13) Relating to all vehicles owned or operated by the sex offender for work or personal

2

use including land vehicles, aircraft, and watercraft:

3

     (i) License plate numbers;

4

     (ii) Registration numbers or identifiers;

5

     (iii) General description of the vehicle to include color, make, model, and year; and

6

     (iv) Any permanent or frequent location where any covered vehicle is kept.

7

     (14) Relating to the sex offender's employment, any and all places where the sex offender

8

is employed in any means including volunteer and unpaid positions:

9

     (i) The name of the sex offender's employer;

10

     (ii) The address of the sex offender's employer; and

11

     (iii) Similar information related to any transient or day labor employment.

12

     (15) All licensing information that authorizes the sex offender to engage in an occupation

13

or carry out a trade or business.

14

     (16) Relating to the sex offender's school:

15

     (i) The name of each school at which the sex offender is or will be a student; and

16

     (ii) The address of each school where the sex offender is or will be a student.

17

     (17) Relating to the sex offender's criminal history:

18

     (i) The date of all arrests;

19

     (ii) The date of all convictions;

20

     (iii) The sex offender's status of parole, probation, or supervised release;

21

     (iv) The sex offender's registration status; and

22

     (v) Any outstanding arrest warrants.

23

     (18) Fingerprints and palm prints of the sex offender in a digitized format. The

24

department shall submit the sex offender's fingerprints to the integrated automated fingerprint

25

identification system (IAFIS) and the sex offender's palmprints to the FBI Central Database, Next

26

Generation Identification Program.

27

     (19) If the sex offender's DNA is not already contained in the Combined DNA Index

28

System (CODIS), the sex offender shall provide the department a sample of his/her DNA. Any

29

DNA sample obtained from a sex offender shall be submitted to an appropriate lab for analysis

30

and entry of the resulting DNA profile into CODIS.

31

     (20) The department shall obtain the text of each provision of law defining the criminal

32

offense(s) for which the sex offender is registered.

33

     (21) When the sex offender will be absent from his/her residence for seven (7) days or

34

more:

 

LC004285 - Page 26 of 37

1

     (i) Identifying information of the temporary lodging locations including addresses and

2

names; and

3

     (ii) The dates the sex offender will be staying at each temporary lodging location.

4

     (22) In the event the sex offender will be traveling outside of the United States, the sex

5

offender must notify the department at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of the travel date

6

and provide any necessary information regarding his/her international travel. Upon notification of

7

a sex offender’s intention to travel internationally, the department shall immediately notify and

8

provide the sex offender’s travel information to INTERPOL.

9

     (23) A signed copy of the sex offenders notice of registration and notification obligations

10

as provided in § 11-37.4-7(c)(2).

11

     (b) The department shall maintain all information obtained under this chapter in a

12

digitized format.

13

     11-37.4-9. Tiered offenses. -- (a) A tier I offense includes:

14

     (1) Any sex offense for which a person has been convicted that is not a tier II or tier III

15

offense;

16

     (2) A conviction for any of the following state offenses:

17

     (i) Section 11-64-2 (video voyeurism) where the victim of the offense is under the age of

18

eighteen (18) years; or

19

     (ii) Section 11-37.4-19 (failure to register);

20

     (3) A conviction for any of the following federal offenses:

21

     (i) 18 U.S.C. 1801 (video voyeurism of a minor);

22

     (ii) 18 U.S.C. 2252 (receipt or possession of child pornography);

23

     (iii) 18 U.S.C. 2252A (receipt or possession of child pornography);

24

     (iv) 18 U.S.C. 2252B (misleading domain names on the Internet);

25

     (v) 18 U.S.C. 2252C (misleading words or digital images on the Internet);

26

     (vi) 18 U.S.C. 2423(b) (travel with the intent to engage in illicit conduct)

27

     (vii) 18 U.S.C. 2423(c) (engaging in illicit conduct in foreign places);

28

     (viii) 18 U.S.C. 2424 (failure to file factual statement about an alien individual); or

29

     (ix) 18 U.S.C. 2425 (transmitting information about a minor to further criminal sexual

30

conduct);

31

     (4) Any offense for which a person has been convicted by any jurisdiction, local

32

government, or qualifying foreign country pursuant to § 11-37.4-4 that involves the false

33

imprisonment of a minor, video voyeurism of a minor, or possession or receipt of child

34

pornography; or

 

LC004285 - Page 27 of 37

1

     (5) Any military offense specified by the Secretary of Defense under section

2

115(a)(8)(C)(i) of Pub. L. 105-119, codified at 10 U.S.C. 951 note, that is similar to those

3

offenses outlined in subsections (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section.

4

     (b) A tier II offense includes any one of the following:

5

     (1) Unless otherwise covered by subsection (c), any sex offense where the offender has at

6

least one prior conviction for a tier I offense, or has become a tier I sex offender;

7

     (2) A conviction for any of the following state offenses:

8

     (i) Section 11-37-4 (second degree sexual assault) where the victim is seventeen (17)

9

years of age or older;

10

     (ii) Section 11-67-2 (involuntary servitude);

11

     (iii) Section 11-67-3 (trafficking of persons for forced labor or commercial sexual

12

activity);

13

     (iv) Section 11-67-6 (sex trafficking of a minor);

14

     (v) Section 11-26-1.5 (enticement of children) with the intent to violate § 11-37-6, 11-37-

15

8, 11-37-8.1, or 11-37-8.3;

16

     (vi) Subsections 11-9-1(b) and (c) (exploitation for commercial or immoral purposes);

17

     (vii) Section 11-9-1.1 (child nudity prohibited in publications);

18

     (viii) Section 11-9-1.3 (child pornography prohibited)

19

     (ix) Section 11-37-8.8 (indecent solicitation of a minor); or

20

     (x) Section 11-1-10 (soliciting an incompetent person) where the underlying offense is a

21

violation of chapter 34.1 of this title and the victim or person solicited to commit the offense is

22

under the age of eighteen (18);

23

     (3) A conviction for any of the following federal offenses:

24

     (i) 18 U.S.C. 1591 (sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion);

25

     (ii) 18 U.S.C. 2243 (sexual abuse of a minor or ward);

26

     (iii) 18 U.S.C. 2244 (abusive sexual contact, where the victim is thirteen (13) years of age

27

or older);

28

     (iv) 18 U.S.C. 2251 (sexual exploitation of children);

29

     (v) 18 U.S.C. 2251A (selling or buying of children);

30

     (vi) 18 U.S.C. 2252 (material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor);

31

     (vii) 18 U.S.C. 2252A (production or distribution of material containing child

32

pornography);

33

     (viii) 18 U.S.C. 2260 (production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for import

34

into the United States);

 

LC004285 - Page 28 of 37

1

     (ix) 18 U.S.C. 2421 (transportation of a minor for illegal sexual activity);

2

     (x) 18 U.S.C. 2422(a) (coercion to engage in prostitution);

3

     (xi) 18 U.S.C. 2422(b) (coercing a minor to engage in prostitution); or

4

     (xii) 18 U.S.C. 2423(a) (transporting a minor to engage in illicit conduct);

5

     (4) Any sex offense against a minor for which a person has been convicted, or an attempt

6

or conspiracy to commit such an offense, that involves:

7

     (i) The use of minors in prostitution, including solicitations;

8

     (ii) Enticing a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity;

9

     (iii) Sexual contact with a minor thirteen (13) years of age or older, whether directly or

10

indirectly through the clothing, that involves the intimate parts of the body;

11

     (iv) The use of a minor in a sexual performance; or

12

     (v) The production or distribution of child pornography.

13

     (5) Any military offense specified by the Secretary of Defense under section

14

115(a)(8)(C)(i) of Pub. L. 105-119, codified at 10 U.S.C. 951 note, that is similar to those

15

offenses outlined in subsections (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section.

16

     (c) A tier III offense includes any one of the following:

17

     (1) A sex offense where the offender has at least one prior conviction for a tier II sex

18

offense, or has previously become a tier II sex offender;

19

     (2) A conviction for any of the following state offenses:

20

     (i) Section 11-37-2 (first degree sexual assault);

21

     (ii) Section 11-37-4 (second degree sexual assault) where the victim is sixteen (16) years

22

of age or younger;

23

     (iii) Section 11-37-6 (third degree sexual assault);

24

     (iv) Section 11-37-8.1 (first degree child molestation sexual assault);

25

     (v) Section 11-37-8.3 (second degree child molestation sexual assault);

26

     (vi) Section 11-37-8 (assault with intent to commit first degree sexual assault);

27

     (vii) Section 11-26-1 (kidnapping) where the victim of the offense is sixteen (16) years or

28

older and under the age of eighteen (18) years;

29

     (viii) Section 11-26-1.4 (kidnapping of a minor);

30

     (ix) Section 11-26-2 (kidnapping with intent to extort) where the victim of the offense is

31

sixteen (16) years or older and under the age of eighteen (18) years;

32

     (x) Section 11-5-1 (assault with intent to commit specified felonies) where the specified

33

felony is sexual assault; or

34

     (xi) Section 11-23-1 (murder) where the victim was a minor;

 

LC004285 - Page 29 of 37

1

     (3) A conviction for any of the following federal offenses:

2

     (i) 18 U.S.C. 2241 (aggravated sexual abuse);

3

     (ii) 18 U.S.C. 2242 (sexual abuse); or

4

     (iii) Where the victim is twelve (12) years of age or younger, 18 U.S.C. 2244 (abusive

5

sexual contact);

6

     (4) Any sex offense that involves:

7

     (i) Non-parental kidnapping of a minor;

8

     (ii) A sexual act; or

9

     (iii) Sexual contact with a minor twelve (12) years of age or younger, including offenses

10

that cover sexual touching of or contact with the intimate parts of the body, either directly or

11

through the clothing;

12

     (5) Any military offense specified by the Secretary of Defense under section

13

115(a)(8)(C)(i) of Pub. L. 105-119, codified at 10 U.S.C. 951 note, that is similar to those

14

offenses outlined in subsections (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section.

15

     11-37.4-10. Duration of registration and frequency of verification. -- (a) A sex

16

offender who is required to register shall, at a minimum, appear in person at the department for

17

purposes of verification and keeping his or her registration current in accordance with the

18

following time frames:

19

     (1) For tier I offenders, once every year for fifteen (15) years from the expiration of his or

20

her sentence for the covered sex offense;

21

     (2) For tier II offenders, once every one hundred eighty (180) days for twenty-five (25)

22

years from the expiration of his or her sentence for the covered sex offense; and

23

     (3) For tier III offenders, once every ninety (90) days for the rest of their lives.

24

     (b) At each in-person verification:

25

     (1) The sex offender shall permit the department to take a photograph of the offender;

26

     (2) The sex offender shall review existing information for accuracy and correct any

27

inaccurate information; and

28

     (3) If any new information or change in information is obtained at the in-person

29

verification, the department shall immediately notify all other jurisdictions in which the sex

30

offender is required to register the information or change in information.

31

     (c) Where, during the period in which the sex offender is required to register, the sex

32

offender required to register under this chapter is incarcerated or re-incarcerated for any offense

33

or is civilly committed, the sex offender’s registration requirements shall be tolled during the

34

subsequent incarceration, re-incarceration or commitment. The sex offenders duty to register shall

 

LC004285 - Page 30 of 37

1

resume upon release in accordance with § 11-37.4-7(a)(2).

2

     11-37.4-11. Reduction of registration periods. -- (a) A sex offender may have his or her

3

period of registration reduced as follows:

4

     (1) A tier I offender may have his or her period of registration reduced to ten (10) years if

5

he or she has maintained a clean record for ten (10) consecutive years; or

6

     (2) A tier III offender may have his or her period of registration reduced to twenty-five

7

(25) years if he or she was adjudicated delinquent of an offense as a juvenile that required tier III

8

registration and he or she has maintained a clean record for twenty-five (25) consecutive years.

9

     (b) A sex offender may file a motion for a reduction of his or her registration period by

10

filing a motion in the court where the conviction for the covered sex offense took place in

11

accordance with the time frames in subsection (a) of this section.

12

     (c) A sex offender filing a motion for a reduction of his or her registration period shall

13

give notice of the hearing date set by the court to the department and the department of attorney

14

general at least ten (10) days prior to that date.

15

     (d) The court, after hearing at which all relevant testimony and information shall be

16

considered may in its discretion order the reduction of the registration period of the sex offender

17

filing the motion if it finds that the sex offender has kept a clean record in accordance with the

18

time frames in subsection (a) of this section.

19

     (e) For the purposes of this section, a sex offender has a clean record if:

20

     (i) He or she has not been convicted of any offense for which imprisonment for more than

21

one year may be imposed;

22

     (ii) He or she has not been convicted of any sex offense;

23

     (iii) He or she has successfully completed, without revocation, any period of supervised

24

release, probation, or parole; and

25

     (iv) He or she has successfully completed an appropriate sex offender treatment program

26

certified by the state, another jurisdiction, or by the Attorney General of the United States.

27

     (f) If the court grants the motion, it shall send a copy of the order to the department and

28

the department of attorney general.

29

     11-37.4-12. Keeping registration current. -- (a) All sex offenders required to register

30

with the state shall immediately appear in person at the department to update any changes to their

31

name, residence, employment, or school attendance, including termination of residency,

32

employment or school attendance.

33

     (b) All sex offenders required to register with the state shall immediately notify the

34

department of any changes to their temporary lodging information, vehicle information, Internet

 

LC004285 - Page 31 of 37

1

identifiers, or telephone numbers. In the event of a change in temporary lodging, the sex offender

2

and the department shall immediately notify the jurisdiction in which the sex offender will be

3

temporarily staying.

4

     (c) With regard to changes in a sex offender’s registration information, the department

5

shall immediately notify:

6

     (1) All jurisdictions where a sex offender was required to register prior to the updated

7

information being given;

8

     (2) All jurisdictions where a sex offender intends to reside, work, or attend school;

9

     (3) All jurisdictions where the sex offender is either registered or required to register;

10

     (4) Specifically with respect to information relating to a sex offender’s intent to

11

commence residence, school, or employment outside of the United States, any jurisdiction where

12

the sex offender is either registered or required to register, and the U.S. Marshals Service; and

13

     (5) The NSOR.

14

     11-37.4-13. Public sex offender registry website. -- (a) The department shall use and

15

maintain a public sex offender registry website.

16

     (b) The registry website shall have the capability of conducting searches by name,

17

county, city, and/or town; and zip code and/or geographic radius.

18

     (c) The registry website shall include:

19

     (1) Links to sex offender safety and education resources;

20

     (2) Instructions on how a person can seek correction of information that the individual

21

contends is erroneous;

22

     (3) A warning that the information contained on the website should not be used to

23

unlawfully injure, harass, or commit a crime against any individual named in the registry or

24

residing or working at any reported addresses and that any such action could result in civil or

25

criminal penalties; and

26

     (4) All field search capabilities needed for full participation in the Dru Sjodin National

27

Sex Offender Public website and shall participate in that website as provided by the Attorney

28

General of the United States.

29

     11-37.4-14. Required and prohibited website information. -- (a) The following

30

information shall be made available to the public on the sex offender registry website:

31

     (1) Notice that an offender is in violation of their registration requirements or cannot be

32

located if the sex offender has absconded;

33

     (2) All sex offenses for which the sex offender has been convicted;

34

     (3) The sex offense(s) for which the offender is currently registered;

 

LC004285 - Page 32 of 37

1

     (4) The address of the sex offender’s employer(s);

2

     (5) The name of the sex offender including all aliases;

3

     (6) A current photograph of the sex offender;

4

     (7) A physical description of the sex offender;

5

     (8) The residential address and, if relevant, a description of a location where the sex

6

offender habitually lives or sleeps;

7

     (9) All addresses of schools attended by the sex offender; and

8

     (10) The sex offender’s vehicle license plate number along with a description of the

9

vehicle.

10

     (b) The following information shall not be available to the public on the sex offender

11

registry website:

12

     (1) Any arrest that did not result in conviction;

13

     (2) The sex offender’s social security number;

14

     (3) Any travel and immigration documents;

15

     (4) The identity of the victim;

16

     (5) Internet identifiers (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 16911); and

17

     (6) Any information of a sex offender who was adjudicated delinquent of a sex offense.

18

     (c) For sex offenders who are under a witness protection program, the department may

19

honor the request of the United States marshals service or other agency responsible for witness

20

protection by not including the original identity of the offender on the publicly accessible sex

21

offender registry website.

22

     11-37.4-15. Community notification. -- (a) Whenever a sex offender initially registers

23

or updates his or her information with the state, the department shall immediately notify:

24

     (1) Any and all other registration jurisdictions where the sex offender is registered due to

25

the sex offender’s residency, school attendance, or employment;

26

     (2) The FBI or other federal agencies as designated by the United States Attorney

27

General in order that the information may be updated on the NSOR or other relevant databases;

28

     (3) Any agency, department, or program within the state that is responsible for criminal

29

investigation, prosecution, child welfare or sex offender supervision functions; and

30

     (4) National Child Protection Act agencies, which includes any agency responsible for

31

conducting employment-related background checks under section 3 of the National Child

32

Protection Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. section 5119a.

33

     (b) The department shall ensure there is an automated community notification process in

34

place that ensures the following:

 

LC004285 - Page 33 of 37

1

     (1) Upon a sex offender’s initial registration or update of information with the state, the

2

state’s public sex offender registry website is immediately updated; and

3

     (2) The state’s public sex offender registry has a function that enables the general public

4

to request an email notice that will notify them when a sex offender commences residence,

5

employment, or school attendance with the state, within a specified zip code, or within a certain

6

geographic radius. This email notice shall include the sex offender’s identity so that the public

7

can access the public registry for the new information.

8

     (c) The notification requirements of subsections (a)(4) and (b)(2) of this section do not

9

apply to sex offenders who were adjudicated delinquent of a sex offense.

10

     (d) Notwithstanding the aforementioned notification requirements, the department and

11

local law enforcement agencies where the sex offender resides, is employed or attends school,

12

may utilize other forms of community notification consistent with the provisions and intent of this

13

chapter.

14

     11-37.4-16. Failure to appear for registration. -- (a) In the event a sex offender fails to

15

register or fails to verify or update their registration information with the state, the department

16

shall immediately inform the local law enforcement agency of the city or town where the sex

17

offender resides, is employed or attends school and/or the jurisdiction that provided notification

18

that the sex offender was to commence residency, employment, or school attendance with the

19

state that the sex offender failed to appear for registration or failed to update their registration

20

information.

21

     (b) Upon notification by the state, the local law enforcement agency where the sex

22

offender resides, is employed or attends school, shall:

23

     (1) Make an effort to determine if the sex offender is actually residing, employed or

24

attending school within their city or town; and

25

     (2) Seek a warrant for the sex offender’s arrest for failing to register or verify or update

26

their registration in compliance with this chapter. The U.S. marshals service or FBI may be

27

contacted in an attempt to obtain a federal warrant for the sex offender’s arrest.

28

     (c) The department shall update the registry to reflect that the sex offender is not in

29

compliance with his or her duty to register.

30

     11-37.4-17. Absconding. -- (a) If the department receives information that a sex offender

31

has absconded or local law enforcement cannot determine whether the sex offender is actually

32

residing, employed or attending school in a city or town using the measures outlined in § 11-37.4-

33

17 (b), the department, with the assistance of local law enforcement, shall make an effort to

34

determine if the sex offender has actually absconded.

 

LC004285 - Page 34 of 37

1

     (b) If the information indicating the possible absconding came through notice from

2

another jurisdiction or federal authorities, they shall be informed that the sex offender has failed

3

to appear and register.

4

     (c) If an absconded sex offender cannot be located then the department shall take the

5

following steps:

6

     (1) Update the registry to reflect the sex offender has absconded or is otherwise not

7

capable of being located;

8

     (2) Notify the local law enforcement agency where the sex offender resides, so the local

9

law enforcement agency can seek a warrant for the sex offender’s arrest.

10

     (3) Notify the U.S. marshals service or FBI so they may attempt, if necessary, to obtain a

11

federal warrant for the sex offender’s arrest;

12

     (4) Update the NSOR to reflect the sex offender’s status as an absconder, or is otherwise

13

not capable of being located; and

14

     (5) Enter the sex offender into the National Crime Information Center Wanted Person

15

file.

16

     11-37.4-18. Crimes and civil sanctions. -- (a) Any person who is required to register

17

under this chapter who knowingly fails to comply with any of the provisions provided herein

18

shall be guilty of a felony and subject to imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, or fined

19

not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.

20

     (b) Any person who is required to register under this chapter who knowingly fails to

21

comply with any of the provisions provided herein shall be in violation of the terms of his or her

22

release, regardless of whether or not the term was a special condition of his or her release on

23

probation, parole or home confinement or other form of supervised release.

24

     (c) Any person who is required to register or verify his or her address, who knowingly

25

resides within three hundred feet (300') of any school, public or private, shall be guilty of a felony

26

and upon conviction may be imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or fined not more than five

27

thousand dollars ($5,000) or both.

28

     11-37.4-19. Hindrance of sex offender registration. -- (a) It shall be unlawful to

29

knowingly harbor or knowingly attempt to harbor, or knowingly assist another person in

30

harboring or attempting to harbor a sex offender who is in violation of this chapter or knowingly

31

assists a sex offender in eluding a law enforcement agency that is seeking to find the sex offender

32

to question the sex offender about, or to arrest the sex offender for noncompliance with the

33

requirements of this chapter; or provides information to a law enforcement agency regarding a

34

sex offender which the person knows to be false.

 

LC004285 - Page 35 of 37

1

     (b) Those found in violation of subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a felony

2

and subject to imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years, or fined not more than ten thousand

3

dollars ($10,000), or both.

4

     11-37.4-20. No subrogation of local law enforcement. -- Notwithstanding the

5

provisions of this chapter, local law enforcement agencies within the state shall have the authority

6

provided by law to enforce the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, residency

7

verification checks. Local law enforcement agencies shall be under no duty to register sex

8

offenders as provided by this chapter.

9

     11-37.4-21. Rules and regulations for community notification. – The department shall

10

promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions required in this chapter.

11

     11-37.4-22. Immunity. -- Any person acting under good faith pursuant to this chapter

12

shall be immune from any civil liability arising out of such actions.

13

     11-37.4-23. Severability. -- If any provision of this chapter or its application to any

14

person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, the invalidity or unconstitutionality

15

shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without

16

the invalid or unconstitutional provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this

17

chapter are declared to be severable.

18

     SECTION 4. Section 2 shall take effect upon passage. Sections 1 and 3 shall take effect

19

on July 1, 2015, and shall apply to all persons who are or have been convicted of a sex offense

20

and shall be required to register as a sex offender as provider by this act.

========

LC004285

========

 

LC004285 - Page 36 of 37

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND

NOTIFICATION

***

1

     This act would implement the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act

2

(SORNA) (Title I of Public Law 109-248).

3

     Section 2 would take effect upon passage. Sections 1 and 3 would take effect on July 1,

4

2015, and would apply to all persons who are or have been convicted of a sex offense and are

5

required to register as a sex offender as provided by this act.

========

LC004285

========

 

LC004285 - Page 37 of 37