Sex Offender Legislation Introduced in State Legislatures - February 15, 2012

Posted February 23, 2012

As of February, at least 165 bills in 31 states have been introduced in 2012 state legislatures on sex offender policy and procedure.   The introduced legislation varies in scope and purpose, with some of the introduced legislation addressing compliance with SORNA (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act) mandates in the federal Adam Walsh Act.

Key topics covered in introduced legislation:

• Would create restrictions on where and when certain sex offenders can vote (for example: Indiana and Maryland)
   
• Would create restrictions on where certain sex offenders may reside  (for example: Alaska, Florida, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming)
   
• Would create restrictions on where certain sex offenders may work or volunteer (for example: California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia)
   
• Would expands the group of offenders or offenses that require registration, or would expand registration information that must be provided (for example: Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia)

Enacted state sex offender legislation is updated twice a year in an online database on NCSL’s website.  Members and staff of legislatures have access to an NCSL bill information service.