Offender registration; local law-enforcement agencies may charge fee. (SB281)

Introduced By

Sen. John Miller (D-Newport News)

Progress

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

Description

Offender registration; local fee. Allows local law-enforcement agencies to charge a fee, not to exceed $24, for registration or reregistration of certain offenders. Read the Bill »

Status

01/10/2008: Awaiting a Vote in the Courts of Justice Committee

History

DateAction
01/08/2008Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 080713275
01/08/2008Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/10/2008Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
01/16/2008Stricken at the request of Patron in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

Doug Smith writes:

just struck in sub

David writes:

This could easily wind up being required of all offenders. It could certainly apply to those sex offenders deemed "sexually violent." By following the same procedures as have a number of other states, and establishing a risk tier system not based on risk factors, Virginia has classified the majority of its sex offenders as violent. Given that sex offenders generally represent a population with a very low risk of recidivism, this smacks of politics. The fee places a burden on many who will not be able to afford even a modest charge. Enough is enough. Virginia should not pass additional sex offender registration laws just because the politicians think they are popular and then shift the burden of paying for them. Rather, Virginia should pass laws based on solid behavioral science. This would result in fewer, but better, regulations and in watching some people smarter, not all people longer.