HB 1502 -- REGISTRATION OF SEX OFFENDERS

CO-SPONSORS:  Smith, Gaw, Britt, Relford, Berkowitz, Kennedy,
Kreider

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Civil and
Administrative Law by a vote of 16 to 0.

This bill requires the Department of Public Safety to put
information regarding persons who are required to register as
sex offenders on the department's Internet web site.  The site
will include the person's name, photograph, birth date, address,
place of employment, and status as a persistent or predatory sex
offender.  The site will also include a description of the crime
committed which requires registration and any information that
the department determines is necessary to preserve public safety.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that many people would rather look
at a web site using their home computer, than go down to the
court house or police station to find out if there is a sexual
predator in the area.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Smith.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the bill should
include some kind of provision where a sex offender's name may
be taken off the registry after a certain amount of time, or
certain conditions are met, such as successfully completing a
treatment program.

Testifying against the bill was the American Civil Liberties
Union.

Richard Smreker, Legislative Analyst

HB 1502 -- Registration of Sex Offenders

Co-Sponsors:  Smith, Gaw, Britt, Relford, Berkowitz, Kennedy,
Kreider

This bill requires the Department of Public Safety to put
information regarding persons who are required to register as
sex offenders on the department's Internet web site.  The site
will include the person's name, photograph, birth date, address,
place of employment, and status as a persistent or predatory sex
offender.  The site will also include a description of the crime
committed which requires registration and any information that
the department determines is necessary to preserve public safety.