Title: An act relating to registration of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders.

Brief Description: Revising provisions relating to registration of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders.

Sponsors: By Representatives O'Brien, Mielke and Darneille; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Requires a registered sex or kidnapping offender who is employed by an institution of higher education to inform the county sheriff.

• Requires a registered sex or kidnapping offender whose enrollment or employment at an institution of higher education is terminated to inform the county sheriff.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives O'Brien, Chair; Darneille, Vice Chair; Mielke, Ranking Minority Member; Ahern, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Kagi, Lovick and Pearson.

Persons convicted, or found not guilty by reason of insanity, of certain sex or kidnapping offenses must register with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence. The person must provide certain information when registering including his or her name, address (if any), date and place of birth, and place of employment.

A person required to register who is admitted to a public or private institution of higher education must notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's intent to attend the institution within 10 days of enrolling or by the first business day after arriving at the institution, whichever is sooner. The sheriff then must notify the institution's department of public safety and provide that department with the offender's registration information.

A person who gains employment at a public or private institution of higher education must notify the sheriff for the county of the person's residence of the person's employment within 10 days of accepting employment or by the first business day of commencing work at the institution, whichever is sooner. A person whose enrollment or employment at a public or private institution of higher education is terminated, must provide notice of the termination to the sheriff for the county of the person's residence within10 days of the termination.

Removes the prohibition against using state funds to fund the statewide registered sex offender web site. Makes technical corrections.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill provides extra safety for our institutions of higher education, which can be an environment with many targets for sex offenders. This bill will also help us to continue to receive federal funds and gives law enforcement better tracking ability over registered sex offenders. The bill's provisions apply to offenders who are already required to register under the current law; no new offenders are required to register under this bill.

Testified: Representative O'Brien, prime sponsor; and Tom McBride, Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.