Assigned to MAPS                                                                                                            AS PASSED BY COW

 


 

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session

 

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR s.b. 1294

 

sex offender registration; online identifiers

Purpose

Effective July 1, 2024, requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to make available on the internet sex offender website, rather than allow DPS to disseminate, a registered sex offender's required online identifier and any corresponding website or internet communication service to an authorized organization.

Background

DPS is required to maintain an internet sex offender website for the purpose of providing information to the public. Persons required to register on the website are sex offenders whose risk assessment has been determined to be level 2 or level 3, and any person convicted of or adjudicated guilty except insane for sexual assault offenses or other sex offenses as outlined. A separate database and search function must also be maintained on the website that contains: 1) any required online identifier of sex offenders assessed to be level 2 or level 3; and 2) the name of any website or internet communication service where the required online identifier is being used. DPS may disseminate a registered sex offender's required online identifier and the name of any corresponding website or internet communication service to a business or organization that offers electronic communication services for comparison with information that is held by the requesting business or organization (A.R.S. § 13-3827).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.   Requires DPS to make available on the internet sex offender website, rather than allow DPS to disseminate, a registered sex offender's required online identifier and any corresponding website or internet communication service to an authorized organization.

2.   Specifies that a sex offender's required online identifier must be made available to an authorized organization, rather than a business or organization that offers electronic communication services for comparison with information held by the business or organization, and would be subject to the same requirements and limitations relating to required online identifiers.

3.   Defines an authorized organization as an internet communication service or related safety organization that is approved by DPS to access required online identifiers on the internet sex offender website.

4.   Makes conforming changes.

5.   Becomes effective on July 1, 2024.

Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole

1.   Requires a sex offender's required online identifier to be made available on the internet sex offender website, rather than DPS's website.

2.   Adds a delayed effective date of July 1, 2024.

3.   Modifies the definition of authorized organization to include a related safety organization approved by DPS.

Senate Action

JUD                 2/21/23     DP     7-0-0

Prepared by Senate Research

February 21, 2023

ZD/sr