Sex offender registry; Virginia State Crime Commission to study requirements. (SJ348)

Introduced By

Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-Mount Solon)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Study; sex offender registry; report. Directs the Virginia State Crime Commission to study federal requirements regarding Virginia's sex offender registry, examine the effectiveness of the registry in preventing sexual victimization, and determine the feasibility of implementing a tiered system. Read the Bill »

Status

02/22/2011: Passed the House

History

DateAction
01/11/2011Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/12/11 11102555D
01/11/2011Referred to Committee on Rules
01/14/2011Assigned Rules sub: #1
01/28/2011Reported from Rules
01/31/2011Reading waived (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/01/2011Read second time and engrossed
02/02/2011Read third time and agreed to by Senate by voice vote
02/07/2011Placed on Calendar
02/07/2011Referred to Committee on Rules
02/10/2011Assigned Rules sub: #3 Studies
02/15/2011Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)
02/17/2011Reported from Rules (13-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/22/2011Taken up
02/22/2011Agreed to by House BLOCK VOTE (97-Y 0-N)
02/22/2011VOTE: BLOCK VOTE ADOPTION (97-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
03/07/2011Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ348ER)

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 1 clip in all, totaling 35 seconds.

Comments

David writes:

This is a good positive bill for a change. Thank you

Audrey Shorter writes:

It finally time for Congress to come to their senses. They cannot change a low risk offender and then because of a law change make them a tier 3 and have to register for life. These people have already did their time and now they have to go back and be repunished. It is clearly unconstitutional what they are doing with the registry right now. I am very hopeful for this new bill.

F. Miller writes:

I was convicted in 1984 of abduction with intent. Three months ago, while I was driving through my neighborhood with the windows rolled down and my 2 year old son and 3 year old daughter in the backseat, an 8 year old boy yelled, "SEX OFFENDER!"

Can one person prove this "sex offender registry" has protected anyone?

I have more instances where my children and I have been hurt by this terribly over-reaching legislation.

Rickey Moore writes:

Senator Hanger, I thank you. You have no idea the effect that my re-registration has had on my life, post release. I just pray that the Legislature uses common sense, acknowledges the notion of redemption and positive change, and brings back to the State of Virginia, the promises that the Constitution makes regarding the sanctity of judicial orders. Virginia is guilty of violating my NC county superior court agreed-upon plea-bargain and final commitment orders, ex-post-facto. I pray that you make this right. Ric

Fran writes:

Senator Hanger, I thank you. I not only speak for myself, but as for others of whom have been misunderstood or victimized within this unjudicial system. Most of us are charged for a hideous crime repeatedly, when it began with a minor charge or a lie. Not withstanding, we also are not able to actually be free due to the relief of registeration laws, for we are still in the system at which each year or so, they raise the relief of regesteration laws higher as well. The court cost is generally around 2000 dollars just to be relieved of registering, but what good is that if your still on the SOR. It only gives the county or state money, and we are still at square one. Our mercy is in your hands, Senator Hanger for we are people of Emotions too, with children, and these laws have taken our lives and parts of our lives we can never get back due to the unfair acts. If I had been a Sex Offender, I could understand it, but my only crime was being honest and believing in a system that I went too to protect me from a lie, to a system that has failed us all for 2 decades. I ask you Senator Hanger, to please consider investigating and as well, promoting a law that would research not only my life since my conviction, but other's that are on the SOR as well. I assure you, that you will conclude that we are not Predators nor Sex Offenders of that nature as we are Classified. Please bring this positive change about as we believe in you. Please help us, please make it possible to restore our freedom and redifine Virginia as a Judicial State, that it once was, founded by our ForeFathers.

Tony writes:

I applaud you Senator Hanger for recognizing there are different levels of this offense. For recognizing that these cases need to be investigated more thorough. To many good people are on this registra that are not predators or repeat offenders. Quite a few of these people are good people. Most of these people that are not predators just want to live a normal life and obey the laws. They are good people but the laws are so strict and getting even more every year to where they practically have to comment crime just to survive. Some of these people put faith in the judicial system that was suppose to protect them and when they were honest the same laws cricified them time, time after time, after time and the only thing they were guilty of was trusting but all they got was lied to repeatedly. There are so many people on this registra that would not be there if the cases were looked at more thorough and all the facts were considered. So again I applaud you for your effects.

KJH writes:

Thanks Sen.Hanger changes are needed.Some laws are reasonable. I had a US Fed. charge from thepost office because a Nam buddy sent me items in the mail.I did what the judge sentance me to do.When released I was not required under Va.law to regester as a Sex offender for 3 years that was until new fed. law required all states to regeter S.O. no matter what their previous statius was.Lot of people on the list that should not me.Some thing to think about.

Rickey Moore writes:

To the responders, you may wish to check HB2227. At first glance, it appears to be one of concern.

lisa price writes:

Thank you Senator Hanger as well. I think it is past due time to make a postive change to release those who where told do your sentence and you are free only to find out laws were retro-actively implimented and these citizens have to endure being repunished each and every year and there constitutional rights broken .

Here is a good quote that fits the occasion :

We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
Thomas Jefferson

Hubert Bullock writes:

My son was convicted of a minor sex offense 22 years ago, served 19 1/2 years in prison in GA for a crime in Virginia would have netted 3-5 years at most. He can only get part time janitorial type jobs. He was hired as a driver for a car dealership, five days later someone told the owner my son was a sex offender and the name of the dealership was listed on the sex offender registry under my sons name. He was fired. Is it necessary to put place of employment on the sex registry. I never check the registry before I shop anyplace, but some businesses will not hire if their name is listed. Can this be changed please.