Sex Offenders and Crimes Against Minors Registry; registration requirements. (HB1044)

Introduced By

Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale) with support from co-patron Del. Steve Shannon (D-Vienna)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Sex Offender Registry. Makes it perfectly clear that persons convicted under certain Code sections that were amended by the 2007 General Assembly must register even though the sections have been rewritten. The bill requires the registration of any conviction of certain crimes involving use of a communications system to facilitate certain offenses involving children rather than current law which requires registration only when the victim is a minor or is physically helpless; because the crime exists only if the victim is a minor. The bill also revises definitions to make it clear that an out-of-state conviction for a registerable offense has the same status as a Virginia conviction. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
01/09/2008Committee
01/09/2008Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 084644824
01/09/2008Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/10/2008Impact statement from VCSC (HB1044)
01/16/2008Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
02/01/2008Reported from Courts of Justice (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/05/2008Read first time
02/06/2008Read second time and engrossed
02/07/2008Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
02/07/2008VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (99-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/07/2008Communicated to Senate
02/08/2008Constitutional reading dispensed
02/08/2008Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/12/2008Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
02/25/2008Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (13-Y 0-N)
02/26/2008Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N)
02/27/2008Read third time
02/27/2008Reading of amendments waived
02/27/2008Committee amendments agreed to
02/27/2008Engrossed by Senate as amended
02/27/2008Passed Senate with amendments (40-Y 0-N)
02/28/2008Placed on Calendar
02/29/2008Senate amendments agreed to by House (98-Y 0-N)
02/29/2008VOTE: --- ADOPTION (98-Y 0-N)
03/04/2008Enrolled
03/04/2008Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1044ER)
03/05/2008Signed by Speaker
03/06/2008Impact statement from DPB (HB1044ER)
03/06/2008Signed by President
03/12/2008G Approved by Governor-Chapter 592 (effective 7/1/08)
03/18/2008G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0592)

Comments

L. Lawless writes:

I love it when the bill summary includes the words "makes it perfectly clear". Shouldn't it have been made "perfectly clear" the FIRST time?

Shirley writes:

There are all levels of sex offenders which the lable had been put on for all. Some are those that done the internet pronography by recieving and sending and once it goes over the state line it is a federal offense and guidelines are quite different that those of the state. A federal offense brings mostly 10 to 15 years but if it were a state offense -could even be rape or molestation- it is usually 5-10 years. When these offenders have to register it is quite different for state offender and federal offenders. I do not think all sex offenders should be required to register once they have done their time and treatment. They are punished twice for what they have done and as mentioned before you don't see murders , drug dealers, rapists having to register for anything. I think the public and our government has gone overboard on laws that are not doing any good and are not needed. You should be protesting laws mockery of a law and inisiting that law enforcement be given laws that do more than just make politicins sound tough on crime and give parents an excuse to not lock their doors.

Syndi Smith writes:

My husband and I Lock our doors and checked with prior people and neighbors of a former babysitter
But that didn't stop the babysitters husband from (Open mouth, French Kissing our 10 year old child 15-20 times) he admitted to this. He only served 15 days in jail. He's not on a Sex Offenders List because of the current law. Our child and family will serve a lifetime of memories not 15 days. Our plans are to change this. I believe there should be tougher sentence's on anyone who commit's a crime. I have to wonder if you have or know of any child that has ever been sexually assault.

Alison Hymes writes:

15 days? I'm so sorry. I think that's the real problem, child molestors and other sex offenders getting light sentences or even probation such as the guy who molested a woman with dementia at Western State and was caught in the act and is serving no time at all.

Marsha Maines writes:

There's a BIG difference between an adult seeking out and victimizing a child and a child (>18) seeking out an adult to 'experiment' with. If children are raised well, they typically don't get in situations where a predatory adult can take advantage of them. ANY adult who pursues a child, should be hospitalized with mandatory psychiatric evaluation for a minimum of 1 year in my opinion. Any child who gets involved with an adult should be required to attend 'parenting' classes with their parents/guardians TOGETHER to understand the potential consequences of their inappropriate behaviour. It's not always 'just the child's fault' for being curious - they have either witnessed the acts due to their own situation at home or lack of supervision by their own parents...I can't tell you HOW MANY PARENTS have NO CLUE what their 10 year olds watch on TV, witness at their friends houses, or see on the interenet...it's ULTIMATELY the parent's responsibility to Train up a child, and protect that child - it's NOT the Govt's job to do everything for everybody. I feel for any parent who learns 'too late' that simply locking the doors is just not enough...every wire that comes into your home is a potential threat too..

L. Lawless writes:

Alison - How long would you think an 18 year old with a naked picture of his 17 year old girlfriend should serve? How about an 18 year old who has sex with a girl just below the legal age? How about the guy who is mastubating in his bedroom and two kids look in his window. Should those cases be the same or different from the guy who stuck his tongue in that little girl's mouth? I promise you it is treated the same and will continue to be as long as people refer to "sex offenders" as a homogenous group.

Yep, every last one of those "sex offenders" are all the same and should all register for life.

Syndi Smith writes:

Marsha... I interested and hearing about the Utopia where you live and also your profession along with your Credential's in or a Degree in Human Behavior and Child Sociology. I would like to add that maybe you could TRAIN the SO's not to harm children. Futhermore are you a PARENT?

Holly writes:

Marsha, I would like to meet you and see what kind of a person you are to think for one minute that it could be anyone elses fault but his, (Roland.) WAKE UP LADY
This man was 62, the babysitters husband. The little girl was 10. Picture this little girl in the front seat of a 62 year old mans truck. The babysitter had sent him to pick her up at school and to do some errands with him. Do you really think you can put blame on anyone but him for what he did to her? This man has admitted to doing this to her. As far as the parents go I know them very well and they are wonderful and loving parents. I even think more of them now because they are fighting to change the law for our kids and maybe yours if you have any.

Sheila writes:

I know of a situation where a mother allowed her 14 yr old daughter to have sex with a 24 yr old man. The mother got mad at the man, turned him in, then testified for him when he went to trial. He served time and is now a registered sex offender. Why didn't the mother get time as well???? If she allowed this to happen she is just as guilty as the man.