Bill on sex offender registry advances

By Ashley Speagle

Correspondent

ATLANTA — Georgia House members passed a bill Tuesday that would update sex offender registration laws and give some convicted criminals a chance to be taken off the offender registry.

“There are certain offenders who arguably may not warrant being on the sex registry for the rest of their lives,” said Rep. Rich Golick, R-Smyrna. “These are all individuals that committed a serious crime, but each individual case is individual.”

The state categorizes sex offenders on three levels, depending on how likely they are to offend again. Level One is low risk, Level Two is intermediate and Level Three is high, according to the law.

House Bill 571, sponsored by House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, would allow Level One sex offenders to ask the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board, comprising law enforcement, clinicians and victim advocates, to be taken off the registry. The bill is yet to be acted on in the Senate.

“Right now, Level One, Two and Three are treated the same,” said Rep. Golick. “This simply sets up a mechanism whereby low-risk (Level One) individuals may petition in court.”

Georgia law now requires that any person convicted of dangerous sexual offenses or crimes against a minor — even if the crimes aren’t sexual in nature — be registered as a sexual offender for life. The Georgia Supreme Court upheld the law Monday.

On Tuesday, some legislators asked if the new bill would comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Is there anyone under current law who would be required to register whose offense did not involve any sexual act?” asked Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta.

HB 571 would fit under the Supreme Court’s ruling, said Rep. Golick, who presented the bill on behalf of Sen. Ralston.

“If it’s having to do with a minor, we do better to err on the side of caution,” Rep. Golick said.

Sex offenders also face restrictions on where they can live, work and volunteer for the rest of their lives. The Center for Sex Offender Management says these restrictions severely limit housing and employment opportunities for some.

Officials with Georgians for Reform said they support new laws such as HB 571. They cite GBI statistics stating that more than 90 percent of registered sex offenders are not classified as dangerous sexual predators or threats to public safety.

Sex offender information is available online, including photo, name, address, age, crime and conviction date. Offenders must renew their registration each year and, if classified as a dangerous sexual predator, must pay $250 each time.