Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry; supplement to Registry (Robby's Rule). (SB934)

Introduced By

Sen. Jennifer Wexton (D-Leesburg) with support from co-patron Del. Marcus Simon (D-Falls Church)

Progress

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

Description

Supplement to the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry; Robby's Rule. Requires the Superintendent of State Police to establish and maintain a supplement to the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry that would include the names of persons who have committed offenses that would require registration if the offense occurred today, but who are not otherwise required to register due to the date of conviction. The bill provides that any attorney for the Commonwealth or law-enforcement officer may submit a request to the Department of State Police to include a person on the supplement to the Registry. Upon receipt of a request, the Department of State Police must confirm whether the person should be included on the supplement to the Registry. Read the Bill »

Status

01/19/2015: Merged into SB1074

History

DateAction
01/08/2015Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/15 15102930D
01/08/2015Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/19/2015Incorporated by Courts of Justice (SB1074-McDougle) (14-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)

Comments

Safer Virginia writes:

As with HB 1353, no evidence exists that creating the list will reduce, much less prevent, sexual abuse. The bill is punitive in nature, adversely affecting employment opportunities for citizens likely already marginalized in society. State government should not be burdened with managing a list of offenders unless there is clear and convincing evidence of its positive effect on public safety. The bill likely violates Virginia's Bill of Rights, Section 9. Prohibition of excessive bail and fines, cruel and unusual punishment, suspension of habeas corpus, bills of attainder, and ex post facto laws.

In light of the potential fear community notification may cause, public awareness policies should be accompanied by prevention campaigns with empirically driven information about the causes of offending and trends in victimization…registration and notification have little hope of making children and adults safer from sexual victimization and murder.
Wright, Richard Gordon. "The Failure of Sex Offender Policies." Introduction. Sex Offender Laws: Failed Policies, New Directions. New York: Springer Pub., 2009. 237. Print.

Virginia is one of only six states that creates a negative employment incentive by publicly listing a registrant’s employer's name and full business address. Twenty-nine states promote a business-friendly environment by omitting the inclusion of employment information on their sex offender registries.

Most studies show that community notification appears to limit employment opportunities for up to half of RSOs (registered sex offenders).
Levenson, Jill, and Richard Tewksbury. "Collateral Damage: Family Members of Registered Sex Offenders." American Journal of Criminal Justice 34.1-2 (2009): 54-68. Print.

Mary Devoy writes:

Everyone watching and opposing this bill be aware there is a House version with very little differences and all the same problems, HB1353 patroned by Delegate Ramadan.

Mary Devoy writes:

Check out SB1074 patroned by Senator McDougle this is 2015’s popular bandwagon it seems