Sex Offender Notification Bill Clears Important Senate Hurdle
Cantwell Legislation to Create Nationwide Sex Offender Database, Enact Stricter Registration Standards and Penalties Passes Key Committee
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved on Thursday bipartisan legislation to strengthen laws protecting children from sex offenders. The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and others, would link state tracking systems and create a national sex offender database to prevent sex offenders from escaping tracking systems through a move to another state. The bill would also put in place stronger, nationwide registration standards, and provide additional tools to law enforcement officers working to keep our communities safe.
"Our communities need real time and accurate information about sex offenders in our neighborhoods," said Cantwell. "Our legislation is vital to giving families and local law enforcement the tools the need to keep our children safe."
The legislation supported by Cantwell would expand the scope and duration of sex offender registration and notification requirements, and, through the creation of searchable internet databases, would make sure citizens always have access to accurate and up-to-date information about sex offenders in or near their community. The bill also increases penalties for violent sex crimes committed against children, and helps states finance apprehension of sex offenders who violate registration requirements. The bill also makes failure to follow registration requirements a felony, punishable by 3 to 10 years for first offenses, and 10 years to life for second offenses.
"Tougher punishments and closing the blatant gaps between Federal and State sex offender registration and notification programs are critical," said Cantwell. "We need to stop sex offenders from exploiting this lack of coordination if we’re going to prevent tragic consequences."
Cantwell has joined Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) to push for full Senate passage of "The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act."
+ Key components of "The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act":
+ Requires that sex offenders register prior to release from prison or supervised programs (current federal law requires registration after release)
+ Requires that a sex offender register and update their registry information in person at a state designated office twice a year, and every three months if the offender is a sexually violent predator
+ Mandates that first time sex offenders remain registered for 20 years, and requires second time offenders and sexually violent offenders to remain registered for life
+ Mandates that any change of status requiring a registry update, such as a change of address or employment, must be made 3 days after the change occurs (the current standard is 10 days), and requires a sex offender’s photograph and fingerprints be updated once each year
+ Makes failing to register or updating registry information a federal felony, or a deportable offense
+ Requires a first-time sex offender to wear a tracking device for the duration of their supervised release, and requires second-time offenders and sexually violent predators to wear the device for life
+ Links State Registries so that an offense committed in one state does not go unrecognized in another, and requires states, not just local governments, to maintain a searchable sex offender registry
+ Provides funding for law enforcement to initiate programs to identify sex predators currently in jail
+ Requires federal officials to send out immediate notification of a sex offender’s intent to move to a new state
+ Establishes a new federally maintained sex offender DNA database to be used by law enforcement and prosecutors, and directs the U.S. Attorney General, in consultation with the states, to develop a national sex offender registry
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