Bill Text: CT HB05578 | 2018 | General Assembly | Introduced

Connecticut House Bill 5578 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Recommendations Of The Connecticut Sentencing Commission With Respect To The Sexual Offender Registry.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-03-22 - Public Hearing 03/26 [HB05578 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2018-HB05578-Introduced.html


General Assembly		*Raised Bill No. 5578*
*February Session, 2018*		LCO No. 2996
		02996_______JUD
Referred to Committee on JUDICIARY
Introduced by:
(JUD)

AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONNECTICUT SENTENCING COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO THE SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRY.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 54-250 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

For the purposes of this section, sections 2 to 7, inclusive, of this act, and sections 54-102g and [54-250] 54-251 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act:

(1) "Conviction" means a judgment entered by a court upon a plea of guilty, a plea of nolo contendere or a finding of guilty by a jury or the court notwithstanding any pending appeal or habeas corpus proceeding arising from such judgment.

(2) "Criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" means (A) a violation of subdivision (2) of section 53-21 of the general statutes in effect prior to October 1, 2000, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-70, subdivision (1), (4), (8) or (10) or subparagraph (B) of subdivision (9) of subsection (a) of section 53a-71, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-72a, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-86, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-87, section 53a-90a, 53a-196a, 53a-196b, 53a-196c, 53a-196d, 53a-196e or 53a-196f, (B) a violation of subparagraph (A) of subdivision (9) of subsection (a) of section 53a-71 or section 53a-92, 53a-92a, 53a-94, 53a-94a, 53a-95, 53a-96 or 53a-186, provided the court makes a finding that, at the time of the offense, the victim was under eighteen years of age, (C) a violation of any of the offenses specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision for which a person is criminally liable under section 53a-8, 53a-48 or 53a-49, or (D) a violation of any predecessor statute to any offense specified in subparagraph (A), (B) or (C) of this subdivision the essential elements of which are substantially the same as said offense.

(3) "Highest-risk offender" means an offender who has been assessed and determined by a placement panel of the Sexual Offender Registration Board under section 2 of this act to be a highest-risk offender.

[(3)] (4) "Identifying factors" means fingerprints, a photographic image, and a description of any other identifying characteristics as may be required by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The commissioner shall also require a sample of the registrant's blood or other biological sample be taken for DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) analysis, unless such sample has been previously obtained in accordance with section 54-102g.

(5) "Law enforcement registry" means the registry for which registration is required pursuant to section 3 of this act.

(6) "Lowest-risk offender" means an offender who has been assessed and determined by a placement panel of the Sexual Offender Registration Board under section 2 of this act to be a lowest-risk offender.

[(4)] (7) "Mental abnormality" means a congenital or acquired condition of a person that affects the emotional or volitional capacity of the person in a manner that predisposes that person to the commission of criminal sexual acts to a degree that makes the person a menace to the health and safety of other persons.

(8) "Moderate-risk offender" means an offender who has been assessed and determined by a placement panel of the Sexual Offender Registration Board under section 2 of this act to be a moderate-risk offender.

[(5)] (9) "Nonviolent sexual offense" means (A) a violation of section 53a-73a or subdivision (2), (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53a-189a, or (B) a violation of any of the offenses specified in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision for which a person is criminally liable under section 53a-8, 53a-48 or 53a-49.

[(6)] (10) "Not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect" means a finding by a court or jury of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect pursuant to section 53a-13 notwithstanding any pending appeal or habeas corpus proceeding arising from such finding.

[(7)] (11) "Personality disorder" means a condition as defined in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

(12) "Public Registry" means the registry for which registration is required pursuant to section 4 of this act.

[(8)] (13) "Registrant" means a person required to register under section 2 of this act, or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act.

[(9)] (14) "Registry" means a central record system in this state, any other state or the federal government that receives, maintains and disseminates information on persons convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of criminal offenses against victims who are minors, nonviolent sexual offenses, sexually violent offenses and felonies found by the sentencing court to have been committed for a sexual purpose.

[(10)] (15) "Release into the community" means, with respect to a conviction or a finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor, a nonviolent sexual offense, a sexually violent offense or a felony found by the sentencing court to have been committed for a sexual purpose, (A) any release by a court after such conviction or finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, a sentence of probation or any other sentence under section 53a-28 that does not result in the offender's immediate placement in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction; (B) release from a correctional facility at the discretion of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, by the Department of Correction to a program authorized by section 18-100c or upon completion of the maximum term or terms of the offender's sentence or sentences, or to the supervision of the Court Support Services Division in accordance with the terms of the offender's sentence; or (C) temporary leave to an approved residence by the Psychiatric Security Review Board pursuant to section 17a-587, conditional release from a hospital for mental illness or a facility for persons with intellectual disability by the Psychiatric Security Review Board pursuant to section 17a-588, or release upon termination of commitment to the Psychiatric Security Review Board.

(16) "Sexual offender" means a person convicted of a sexual offense.

(17) "Sexual offense" means any criminal offense against a victim who is a minor, nonviolent sexual offense, sexually violent offense or felony committed for a sexual purpose.

[(11)] (18) "Sexually violent offense" means (A) a violation of section 53a-70, except subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of said section, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, except subdivision (1), (4), (8) or (10) or subparagraph (B) of subdivision (9) of subsection (a) of said section or subparagraph (A) of subdivision (9) of subsection (a) of said section if the court makes a finding that, at the time of the offense, the victim was under eighteen years of age, 53a-72a, except subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of said section, or 53a-72b, or of section 53a-92 or 53a-92a, provided the court makes a finding that the offense was committed with intent to sexually violate or abuse the victim, (B) a violation of any of the offenses specified in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision for which a person is criminally liable under section 53a-8, 53a-48 or 53a-49, or (C) a violation of any predecessor statute to any of the offenses specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of this subdivision the essential elements of which are substantially the same as said offense.

[(12)] (19) "Sexual purpose" means that a purpose of the defendant in committing the felony was to engage in sexual contact or sexual intercourse with another person without that person's consent. A sexual purpose need not be the sole purpose of the commission of the felony. The sexual purpose may arise at any time in the course of the commission of the felony.

[(13)] (20) "Employed" or "carries on a vocation" means employment that is full-time or part-time for more than fourteen days, or for a total period of time of more than thirty days during any calendar year, whether financially compensated, volunteered or for the purpose of government or educational benefit.

[(14)] (21) "Student" means a person who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis, in any public or private educational institution, including any secondary school, trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning.

Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2018) (a) There is established a Sexual Offender Registration Board within the Board of Pardons and Paroles, for administrative purposes only. The Sexual Offender Registration Board shall consist of eight part-time members compensated on a per diem basis. The Governor shall appoint as members: (1) Two persons with substantial experience in providing sexual assault victims with victim advocacy services; (2) three persons recommended by the Chief Court Administrator, who have at least five years of experience in the assessment of sexual offenders and meet the criteria for clinical membership in an organization in this state (A) that provides evaluations and treatment to persons with problem sexual behaviors, or (B) dedicated to preventing sexual abuse; and (3) three persons recommended by the Chief Court Administrator, who have at least five years of experience in sexual offender management and supervision and who have received training in evidence-based supervision of sexual offenders.

(b) The Sexual Offender Registration Board shall appoint placement panels from its members. Each such panel shall have at least three persons, including one each as described in subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section. Each placement panel shall determine whether (1) a person convicted of a sexual offense on or after October 1, 2018, shall register on the public registry pursuant to section 54-257 of the general statutes or on the law enforcement registry pursuant to section 13 of this act, and for how long such offender shall maintain such registration, or (2) whether a person convicted of a sexual offense on or after October 1, 2018, may be removed from the law enforcement agency registry.

(c) A placement panel shall assess each sexual offender and determine whether the offender is lowest risk, moderate risk or highest risk. In making such a risk classification, said board shall use scoring from validated actuarial risk assessment instruments, with the exception of moderate risk scoring. The panel may override the risk classification based on other factors, including the nature and circumstance of the sexual offense, any other aggravating or mitigating factors, and the impact to the victim, if known, and to the community.

(d) There shall be a presumption that any sexual offender who scores (1) low on the actuarial risk assessment shall be required to register on the law enforcement registry, or (2) high on the actuarial risk assessment shall be required to register on the public registry.

(e) A placement panel shall direct the lowest-risk offenders, based on an actuarial risk assessment, to register on the law enforcement registry and to maintain such registration for ten years from the date of such person's release into the community.

(f) (1) A placement panel shall direct the moderate-risk offenders, based on an actuarial risk assessment, to register on either the public registry and maintain such registration for life or the law enforcement registry and maintain such registration for twenty years from the date of such person's release into the community, based on the panel's determination concerning each moderate-risk offender pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(2) For any offender who scored moderate risk on the actuarial assessment, the placement panel shall determine placement on the public or law enforcement registry by considering the actuarial assessment and certain additional factors determined by a further assessment of such offender's risk using a set of evidence-based criteria and a structured decision-making tool, determined and developed by said board, that takes into account the factors relevant to determine whether a moderate-risk offender would be best placed on the public registry or the law enforcement registry. There shall be no presumption of assignment to either the public registry for life or the law enforcement registry for twenty years.

(g) A placement panel shall direct the highest-risk offenders, based on an actuarial risk assessment, to register on the public registry and maintain such registration for life.

(h) A placement panel's decision to place an offender on the law enforcement registry may not be appealed.

(i) A placement panel's decision to place an offender on the public registry may be appealed if a registrant requests a hearing before the board.

(j) Said board shall notify each offender's victim or victims who are known to the board, of any determination concerning such offender to be made by said board or any panel of said board pursuant to this section. Any such victim may provide input prior to the making of any such determination and the board or panel, as appropriate, shall consider such input in making any such determination.

Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) Any person directed under section 2 of this act to register on the law enforcement agency registry shall, not later than three days following such persons release into the community or, if such person is in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, at such time prior to release as the commissioner shall direct, and whether or not such person's place of residence is in this state, register such person's name, identifying factors, criminal history record, residence address and electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, if any, with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, on such forms and in such locations as the commissioner shall direct, and shall maintain such registration for ten years from the date of such person's release into the community, unless (1) directed by the Sexual Offender Registration Board or a placement panel of said board to maintain such registration for twenty years, or (2) otherwise directed by the court pursuant to section 5 of this act, or by the Sexual Offender Registration Board pursuant to section 4 or 6 of this act. Prior to accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from a person with respect to a sexual offense, the court shall (A) inform the person that the entry of a finding of guilty after acceptance of the plea will subject the person to the registration requirements of this section or section 4 of this act, and (B) determine that the person fully understands the consequences of the plea. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's name, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in writing, of the new name. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's address, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in writing, of the new address and, if the new address is in another state, such person shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. If any person who is subject to registration under this section establishes or changes an electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in writing, of such identifier. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed at, carries on a vocation at or is a student at a trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning in this state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such status and of any change in such status. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed in another state, carries on a vocation in another state or is a student in another state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. Each registrant shall complete and return forms mailed to such registrant to verify such registrant's residence address and shall submit to the retaking of a photographic image upon request of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The commissioner shall notify any known victim of a registrant of the residential address of such registrant and any changes to such address.

(b) Any person subject to registration under this section who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony, except that, if such person violates the provisions of this section by failing to notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection without undue delay of a change of name, address or status or another reportable event, such person shall be subject to such penalty if such failure continues for five business days.

(c) At any time, a probation or parole officer or a state's attorney may request of the Sexual Offender Registration Board that an offender on the law enforcement registry be moved to the public registry because of the registrant's failure to meet conditions of parole or probation or new criminal activity. Said board or a placement panel of said board shall review each such request and issue a determination.

Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) Any person required under section 2 of this act to register on the public registry shall, not later than three days following such persons release into the community or, if such person is in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, at such time prior to release as the commissioner shall direct, and whether or not such person's place of residence is in this state, register such person's name, identifying factors, criminal history record, residence address and electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, if any, with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, on such forms and in such locations as the commissioner shall direct, and shall maintain such registration for twenty years from the date of such person's release into the community, unless (1) directed by the Sexual Offender Registration Board or a placement panel of said board to maintain such registration for life, or (2) otherwise directed by the court under section 5 of this act, or the Sexual Offender Registration Board under subsection (b) of this section or section 3 or 6 of this act. Prior to accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from a person with respect to a sexual offense, the court shall (A) inform the person that the entry of a finding of guilty after acceptance of the plea will subject the person to the registration requirements of this section or section 3 of this act, and (B) determine that the person fully understands the consequences of the plea. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's name, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in writing, of the new name. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's address, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in writing, of the new address and, if the new address is in another state, such person shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. If any person who is subject to registration under this section establishes or changes an electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in writing, of such identifier. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed at, carries on a vocation at or is a student at a trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning in this state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such status and of any change in such status. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed in another state, carries on a vocation in another state or is a student in another state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. Each registrant shall complete and return forms mailed to such registrant to verify such registrant's residence address and shall submit to the retaking of a photographic image upon request of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The commissioner shall notify any known victim of a registrant of the residential address of such registrant and any changes to such address.

(b) A person registered on the public registry may, after ten years on such registry, petition the Sexual Offender Registration Board established under section 2 of this act to be moved to the law enforcement registry for twenty years. Any offender petitioning for a change in registration requirements shall be in compliance with the registry at the time of the request. A probation or parole officer or a state's attorney may make a recommendation at the time of the petition regarding an offender who is or has been under probation or parole supervision. Said board shall review each such petition and any evidence in support of or opposed to the petition and issue its determination.

(c) Any person who files an application with the Sexual Offender Registration Board established under section 2 of this act, to be exempted from the registration requirements of this section and instead, be made subject to the registration requirements of section 3 of this act, shall, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 54-227 of the general statutes, notify the Office of Victim Services and the Victim Services Unit within the Department of Correction of the filing of such application. The Office of Victim Services or the Victim Services Unit within the Department of Correction, or both, shall, pursuant to section 54-230 or 54-230a of the general statutes, notify any victim who has requested notification of the filing of such application. Prior to granting or denying such application, said board shall consider any information or statement provided by the victim.

(d) Any person subject to registration under this section who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony, except that, if such person violates the provisions of this section by failing to notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection without undue delay of a change of name, address or status or another reportable event, such person shall be subject to such penalty if such failure continues for five business days.

Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) Any person subject to registration under section 3 of this act for a period of ten years may apply to the court and the court may exempt such person from the registration requirements of section 3 of this act, if the court finds that such person has been compliant with the registration requirements of section 3 of this act for a period of at least five years.

(b) Any person subject to registration under section 3 of this act for a period of twenty years may apply to the court and the court may exempt such person from the registration requirements of section 3 of this act, if the court finds that such person has been compliant with the registration requirements of section 3 of this act for a period of at least ten years.

(c) No person may apply for exemption from registration requirements pursuant to subsection (a), (b) or (i) of this section, if such person has been convicted of (1) any felony offense during the five-year period prior to such application, (2) any class A misdemeanor offense during the three-year period prior to such application, or (3) any misdemeanor offense during the one-year period prior to such application.

(d) Prior to hearing any person's application to be exempted from the registration requirements of this section pursuant to subsection (a), (b) or (i) of this section, the court shall notify the office of Chief Public Defender, the appropriate state's attorney, the Victim Services Unit within the Department of Correction, the Office of the Victim Advocate and the Office of Victim Services within the Judicial Department of such person's hearing date for such application. The office of Chief Public Defender shall assign counsel for such person pursuant to section 51-296 of the general statutes if such person is indigent. The court shall order a risk assessment of such person, unless the requirement is waived for good cause. The court may refer such application to the Sexual Offender Registration Board established pursuant to section 2 of this act for a risk assessment and a recommendation concerning such person's application for exemption. As part of such hearing, the court shall permit (1) such person to make a statement on such person's behalf, (2) counsel for such person and the state's attorney to present evidence, and (3) any victim of the crime or crimes to make a statement or to submit a statement in writing. Prior to granting or denying such application, the court shall consider any information or statement provided by the victim.

(e) The court may order an applicant's removal from the registry if, in the opinion of the court, such removal shall assist the applicant in reintegration into the community and shall be consistent with public safety. The court shall consider the nature of the offense and the applicant's conduct since the commission of the sexual offense causing such applicant to register, including (1) the applicant's history of sex offender or behavioral health treatment; (2) the results of any relevant risk assessments and evaluations by behavioral health professionals; (3) the applicant's history of employment and education; (4) the applicant's compliance with the terms of parole, probation and compliance with registry requirements; and (5) any other factors bearing on the applicant's reintegration into the community. The applicant shall have the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

(f) If the court orders an offender removed from the registry, the court shall notify the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Court Support Services Division, if applicable, the Office of Victim Services within the Judicial Branch, the Parole and Community Services Division, if applicable, the Victim Services Unit within the Department of Correction, and the local police department or the state police troop having jurisdiction over the applicant's address.

(g) The applicant and the state's attorney shall have the right to appeal the decision of the court and the decision of the court shall be subject to review for abuse of discretion.

(h) In the case of a denial of application, the applicant may reapply pursuant to subsection (a) of this section ten years after such denial. An applicant may request and the court may consider an earlier period for reapplication for good cause shown.

(i) Any person required to register pursuant to sections 54-251, 54-252 and 54-254 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, who (1) was convicted prior to January 1, 1998, of a sexual offense, or (2) was convicted on or after January 1, 1998, of a sexual offense, and is required to maintain a registration because the registration period has increased due to changes in the law following such person's conviction, may apply to the court to be exempted from the registration requirements under sections 54-251, 54-252 and 54-254 of the general statutes, as amended by this act. Such application shall be subject to the provisions of subsections (c) to (h), inclusive, of this section.

Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) Any person (1) required to register pursuant to sections 54-251, 54-252 and 54-254 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, (2) (A) who has been compliant with the registration requirements of said sections for a period of at least five years in the case of a person required to maintain such registration for ten years, or (B) who has been compliant with the registration requirements of said sections for a period of at least ten years in the case of a person required to maintain such registration for life, and who (3) is not described in subsection (i) of section 5 of this act, may petition the Sexual Offender Registration Board established under section 2 of this act to be moved from the public registry to the law enforcement agency registry. Such petition shall be subject to the same criteria as an application for exemption under section 5 of this act. If said board grants such petition, the petitioner shall register on the law enforcement agency registry and maintain such registry for the remaining period of time such person was to maintain such registry pursuant to section 54-251, 54-252 or 54-254 of the general statutes, as amended by this act. No such person may apply for exemption from the registration requirements of the law enforcement agency registration.

Sec. 7. Section 54-251 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) [Any] Except as provided in section 5 or 6 of this act, any person who, prior to October 1, 2018, has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor or a nonviolent sexual offense, and is released into the community on or after October 1, 1998, shall, within three days following such release or, if such person is in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, at such time prior to release as the commissioner shall direct, and whether or not such person's place of residence is in this state, register such person's name, identifying factors, criminal history record, residence address and electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, if any, with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, on such forms and in such locations as the commissioner shall direct, and shall maintain such registration for ten years from the date of such person's release into the community, except that any person who has one or more prior convictions of any such offense or who is convicted of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-70 shall maintain such registration for life. Prior to accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from a person with respect to a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor or a nonviolent sexual offense, the court shall (1) inform the person that the entry of a finding of guilty after acceptance of the plea will subject the person to the registration requirements of this section, and (2) determine that the person fully understands the consequences of the plea. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's name, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of the new name. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's address, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of the new address and, if the new address is in another state, such person shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. If any person who is subject to registration under this section establishes or changes an electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of such identifier. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed at, carries on a vocation at or is a student at a trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning in this state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such status and of any change in such status. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed in another state, carries on a vocation in another state or is a student in another state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. During such period of registration, each registrant shall complete and return forms mailed to such registrant to verify such registrant's residence address and shall submit to the retaking of a photographic image upon request of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the court may exempt any person who has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 53a-71 from the registration requirements of this section if the court finds that such person was under nineteen years of age at the time of the offense and that registration is not required for public safety.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the court may exempt any person who has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-73a or subdivision (2), (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53a-189a, from the registration requirements of this section if the court finds that registration is not required for public safety.

(d) Any person who files an application with the court to be exempted from the registration requirements of this section pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) of this section shall, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 54-227, notify the Office of Victim Services and the Victim Services Unit within the Department of Correction of the filing of such application. The Office of Victim Services or the Victim Services Unit within the Department of Correction, or both, shall, pursuant to section 54-230 or 54-230a, notify any victim who has requested notification of the filing of such application. Prior to granting or denying such application, the court shall consider any information or statement provided by the victim.

(e) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony, except that, if such person violates the provisions of this section by failing to notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection without undue delay of a change of name, address or status or another reportable event, such person shall be subject to such penalty if such failure continues for five business days.

Sec. 8. Section 54-252 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) [Any] Except as provided in section 5 or 6 of this act, any person who, prior to October 1, 2018, has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a sexually violent offense, and (1) is released into the community on or after October 1, 1988, and prior to October 1, 1998, and resides in this state, shall, on October 1, 1998, or within three days of residing in this state, whichever is later, or (2) is released into the community on or after October 1, 1998, shall, within three days following such release or, if such person is in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, at such time prior to release as the commissioner shall direct, register such person's name, identifying factors and criminal history record, documentation of any treatment received by such person for mental abnormality or personality disorder, and such person's residence address and electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, if any, with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection on such forms and in such locations as said commissioner shall direct, and shall maintain such registration for life. Prior to accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from a person with respect to a sexually violent offense, the court shall (A) inform the person that the entry of a finding of guilty after acceptance of the plea will subject the person to the registration requirements of this section, and (B) determine that the person fully understands the consequences of the plea. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's name, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of the new name. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's address, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of the new address and, if the new address is in another state, such person shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. If any person who is subject to registration under this section establishes or changes an electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of such identifier. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed at, carries on a vocation at or is a student at a trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning in this state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such status and of any change in such status. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed in another state, carries on a vocation in another state or is a student in another state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. During such period of registration, each registrant shall complete and return forms mailed to such registrant to verify such registrant's residence address and shall submit to the retaking of a photographic image upon request of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

(b) Any person who has been subject to the registration requirements of section 54-102r of the general statutes, revised to January 1, 1997, as amended by section 1 of public act 97-183, shall, not later than three working days after October 1, 1998, register under this section and thereafter comply with the provisions of sections 54-102g and 54-250 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act, except that any person who was convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of an offense that is classified as a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor under subdivision (2) of section 54-250, as amended by this act, and that is subject to a ten-year period of registration under section 54-251, as amended by this act, shall maintain such registration for ten years from the date of such person's release into the community.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, during the initial registration period following October 1, 1998, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may phase in completion of the registration procedure for persons released into the community prior to said date over the first three months following said date, and no such person shall be prosecuted for failure to register under this section during those three months provided such person complies with the directives of said commissioner regarding registration procedures.

(d) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony, except that, if such person violates the provisions of this section by failing to notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection without undue delay of a change of name, address or status or another reportable event, such person shall be subject to such penalty if such failure continues for five business days.

Sec. 9. Section 54-253 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) [Any] Except as provided in section 5 or 6 of this act, any person who, prior to October 1, 2018, has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in any other state, in a federal or military court or in any foreign jurisdiction of any crime (1) the essential elements of which are substantially the same as any of the crimes specified in subdivisions (2), [(5)] (9) and [(11)] (18) of section 54-250, as amended by this act, or (2) which requires registration as a sexual offender in such other state or in the federal or military system, and who resides in this state on and after October 1, 1998, shall, without undue delay upon residing in this state, register with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in the same manner as if such person had been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of such crime in this state, except that the commissioner shall maintain such registration until such person is released from the registration requirement in such other state, federal or military system or foreign jurisdiction.

(b) If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's name, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of the new name. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's address, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of the new address and, if the new address is in another state, such person shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. If any person who is subject to registration under this section establishes or changes an electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of such identifier. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed at, carries on a vocation at or is a student at a trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning in this state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such status and of any change in such status. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed in another state, carries on a vocation in another state or is a student in another state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. During such period of registration, each registrant shall complete and return forms mailed to such registrant to verify such registrant's residence address and shall submit to the retaking of a photographic image upon request of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

(c) Any person not a resident of this state who is registered as a sexual offender under the laws of any other state and who is employed in this state, carries on a vocation in this state or is a student in this state, shall, without undue delay after the commencement of such employment, vocation or education in this state, register such person's name, identifying factors and criminal history record, locations visited on a recurring basis, and such person's residence address, if any, in this state, residence address in such person's home state and electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, if any, with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection on such forms and in such locations as said commissioner shall direct and shall maintain such registration until such employment, vocation or education terminates or until such person is released from registration as a sexual offender in such other state. If such person terminates such person's employment, vocation or education in this state, changes such person's address in this state or establishes or changes an electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of such termination, new address or identifier.

(d) Any person not a resident of this state who is registered as a sexual offender under the laws of any other state and who travels in this state on a recurring basis for periods of less than five days shall notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such person's temporary residence in this state and of a telephone number at which such person may be contacted.

(e) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony, except that, if such person violates the provisions of this section by failing to register with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection without undue delay or notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection without undue delay of a change of name, address or status or another reportable event, such person shall be subject to such penalty if such failure continues for five business days.

Sec. 10. Section 54-254 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) [Any] Except as provided in section 5 or 6 of this act, any person who, prior to October 1, 2018, has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect in this state on or after October 1, 1998, of any felony that the court finds was committed for a sexual purpose, may be required by the court upon release into the community or, if such person is in the custody of the Commissioner of Correction, at such time prior to release as the commissioner shall direct to register such person's name, identifying factors, criminal history record, residence address and electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, if any, with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, on such forms and in such locations as the commissioner shall direct, and to maintain such registration for ten years from the date of such person's release into the community. If the court finds that a person has committed a felony for a sexual purpose and intends to require such person to register under this section, prior to accepting a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from such person with respect to such felony, the court shall (1) inform the person that the entry of a finding of guilty after acceptance of the plea will subject the person to the registration requirements of this section, and (2) determine that the person fully understands the consequences of the plea. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's name, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of the new name. If any person who is subject to registration under this section changes such person's address, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of the new address and, if the new address is in another state, such person shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. If any person who is subject to registration under this section establishes or changes an electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection in writing of such identifier. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed at, carries on a vocation at or is a student at a trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning in this state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such status and of any change in such status. If any person who is subject to registration under this section is employed in another state, carries on a vocation in another state or is a student in another state, such person shall, without undue delay, notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders. During such period of registration, each registrant shall complete and return forms mailed to such registrant to verify such registrant's residence address and shall submit to the retaking of a photographic image upon request of the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class D felony, except that, if such person violates the provisions of this section by failing to notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection without undue delay of a change of name, address or status or another reportable event, such person shall be subject to such penalty if such failure continues for five business days.

Sec. 11. Section 54-255 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) Upon the conviction or finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of any person prior to October 1, 2018, for a violation of section 53a-70b, the court may order the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to restrict the dissemination of the registration information to law enforcement purposes only and to not make such information available for public access, provided the court finds that dissemination of the registration information is not required for public safety and that publication of the registration information would be likely to reveal the identity of the victim within the community where the victim resides. The court shall remove the restriction on the dissemination of such registration information if, at any time, the court finds that public safety requires that such person's registration information be made available to the public or that a change of circumstances makes publication of such registration information no longer likely to reveal the identity of the victim within the community where the victim resides. Prior to ordering or removing the restriction on the dissemination of such person's registration information, the court shall consider any information or statements provided by the victim.

(b) Upon the conviction or finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of any person prior to October 1, 2018, of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor, a nonviolent sexual offense or a sexually violent offense, where the victim of such offense was, at the time of the offense, under eighteen years of age and related to such person within any of the degrees of kindred specified in section 46b-21, the court may order the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to restrict the dissemination of the registration information to law enforcement purposes only and to not make such information available for public access, provided the court finds that dissemination of the registration information is not required for public safety and that publication of the registration information would be likely to reveal the identity of the victim within the community where the victim resides. The court shall remove the restriction on the dissemination of such registration information if, at any time, it finds that public safety requires that such person's registration information be made available to the public or that a change in circumstances makes publication of the registration information no longer likely to reveal the identity of the victim within the community where the victim resides.

(c) Any person who: (1) Has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 53a-71 between October 1, 1988, and June 30, 1999, and was under nineteen years of age at the time of the offense; (2) has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-73a between October 1, 1988, and June 30, 1999; (3) has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor, a nonviolent sexual offense or a sexually violent offense, between October 1, 1988, and June 30, 1999, where the victim of such offense was, at the time of the offense, under eighteen years of age and related to such person within any of the degrees of kindred specified in section 46b-21; (4) has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a violation of section 53a-70b between October 1, 1988, and June 30, 1999; or (5) has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of any crime between October 1, 1988, and September 30, 1998, which requires registration under sections 54-250 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act, and (A) served no jail or prison time as a result of such conviction or finding of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, (B) has not been subsequently convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of any crime which would require registration under sections 54-250 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act, and (C) has registered with the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection in accordance with sections 54-250 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act; may petition the court to order the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to restrict the dissemination of the registration information to law enforcement purposes only and to not make such information available for public access. Any person who files such a petition shall, pursuant to subsection (b) of section 54-227, notify the Office of Victim Services and the Victim Services Unit within the Department of Correction of the filing of such petition. The Office of Victim Services or the Victim Services Unit within the Department of Correction, or both, shall, pursuant to section 54-230 or 54-230a, notify any victim who has requested notification pursuant to subsection (b) of section 54-228 of the filing of such petition. Prior to granting or denying such petition, the court shall consider any information or statements provided by the victim. The court may order the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to restrict the dissemination of the registration information to law enforcement purposes only and to not make such information available for public access, provided the court finds that dissemination of the registration information is not required for public safety.

Sec. 12. Section 54-256 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) Any court, the Commissioner of Correction or the Psychiatric Security Review Board, prior to releasing into the community any person convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor, a nonviolent sexual offense, a sexually violent offense or a felony found by the sentencing court to have been committed for a sexual purpose, except a person being released unconditionally at the conclusion of such person's sentence or commitment, shall require as a condition of such release that such person complete the registration procedure established by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection under sections 3 and 4 of this act, or 54-251, 54-252 and 54-254, as amended by this act. The court, the Commissioner of Correction or the Psychiatric Security Review Board, as the case may be, shall provide the person with a written summary of the person's obligations under sections 54-102g and 54-250 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act, and transmit the completed registration package to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection who shall enter the information into the registry established under section 13 of this act or section 54-257, as amended by this act. If a court transmits the completed registration package to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection with respect to a person released by the court, such package need not include identifying factors for such person. In the case of a person being released unconditionally who declines to complete the registration package through the court or the releasing agency, the court or agency shall: (1) Except with respect to information that is not available to the public pursuant to court order, rule of court or any provision of the general statutes, provide to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection the person's name, date of release into the community, anticipated residence address, if known, and criminal history record, any known treatment history of such person, any electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier for such person, if known, and any other relevant information; (2) inform the person that such person has an obligation to register within three days with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a period of ten years following the date of such person's release or for life, as the case may be, that if such person changes such person's address such person shall within five days register the new address in writing with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and, if the new address is in another state or if such person is employed in another state, carries on a vocation in another state or is a student in another state, such person shall also register with an appropriate agency in that state, provided that state has a registration requirement for such offenders, and that if such person establishes or changes an electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier such person shall, within five days, register such identifier with the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection; (3) provide the person with a written summary of the person's obligations under sections 3 and 4 of this act, or sections 54-102g and 54-250 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act, as explained to the person under subdivision (2) of this subsection; and (4) make a specific notation on the record maintained by that agency with respect to such person that the registration requirements were explained to such person and that such person was provided with a written summary of such person's obligations under sections 3 and 4 of this act, or sections 54-102g and 54-250 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act.

(b) Whenever a person is convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of an offense that will require such person to register under section 3 or 4 of this act, or section 54-251, 54-252 or 54-254, as amended by this act, the court shall provide to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection a written summary of the offense that includes the age and sex of any victim of the offense and a specific description of the offense. Such summary shall be added to the registry information made available to the public through the Internet.

Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2018) (a) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall establish and maintain a law enforcement agency registry of all persons required to register on such registry under section 3 of this act. Such registry shall not be a public document and shall be released only to law enforcement agencies, except as otherwise provided in this section or section 3 of this act. The department shall, in cooperation with the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, the Department of Correction and the Psychiatric Security Review Board, develop appropriate forms for use by agencies and individuals to report registration information, including changes of address. Upon receipt of registration information, the department shall enter the information into the registry and notify the local police department or state police troop having jurisdiction where the registrant resides or plans to reside. If a registrant notifies the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection that such registrant is employed at, carries on a vocation at or is a student at a trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning in this state, the department shall notify the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over such institution.

(b) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection may suspend the registration of any person registered on the law enforcement agency registration while such person is incarcerated, under civil commitment or residing outside this state. During the period that such registration is under suspension, the department is not required to verify the address of the registrant pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and may withdraw the registration information from public access. Upon the release of the registrant from incarceration or civil commitment or resumption of residency in this state by the registrant, the department shall reinstate the registration, redistribute the registration information in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and resume verifying the address of the registrant in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. Suspension of registration shall not affect the date of expiration of the registration obligation of the registrant under section 3 of this act.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall verify the address of each registrant by mailing a nonforwardable verification form to the registrant at the registrant's last reported address. Such form shall require the registrant to sign a statement that the registrant continues to reside at the registrant's last reported address and return the form by mail by a date which is ten days after the date such form was mailed to the registrant. The form shall contain a statement that failure to return the form or providing false information is a violation of section 3 of this act. Each person required to register on the law enforcement agency registration shall have such person's address verified in such manner annually in the case of a person who has to maintain such registration for ten years or semiannually in the case of a person who has to maintain such registration for twenty years. In the event that a registrant fails to return the address verification form, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall notify the local police department or the state police troop having jurisdiction over the registrant's last reported address, and that agency shall apply for a warrant to be issued for the registrant's arrest under section 3 of this act. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall not verify the address of registrants whose last reported address was outside this state.

(d) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall include in the registry the most recent photographic image of each registrant taken by the department, the Department of Correction, a law enforcement agency or the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department and shall retake the photographic image of each registrant at least once every five years.

(e) Whenever the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection receives notice from a superior court pursuant to section 52-11 of the general statutes or a probate court pursuant to section 45a-99 of the general statutes that such court has ordered the change of name of a person, and the department determines that such person is listed in the registry, the department shall revise such person's registration information accordingly.

(f) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall develop a protocol for the notification of other state agencies, the Judicial Department and local police departments whenever a person listed in the registry changes such person's name and notifies the commissioner of the new name pursuant to section 3 of this act or whenever the commissioner determines, pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, that a person listed in the registry has changed such person's name.

Sec. 14. Section 54-257 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, not later than January 1, 1999, establish and maintain a public registry of all persons required to register on the public registry under section 4 of this act and under sections 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 and 54-254, as amended by this act. The department shall, in cooperation with the Office of the Chief Court Administrator, the Department of Correction and the Psychiatric Security Review Board, develop appropriate forms for use by agencies and individuals to report registration information, including changes of address. Upon receipt of registration information, the department shall enter the information into the registry and notify the local police department or state police troop having jurisdiction where the registrant resides or plans to reside. If a registrant notifies the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection that such registrant is employed at, carries on a vocation at or is a student at a trade or professional institution or institution of higher learning in this state, the department shall notify the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over such institution. If a registrant reports a residence in another state, the department shall notify the state police agency of that state or such other agency in that state that maintains registry information, if known. The department shall also transmit all registration information, conviction data, photographic images and fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in such form as said bureau shall require for inclusion in a national registry.

(b) The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection may suspend the registration of any person registered under section 4 of this act or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, while such person is incarcerated, under civil commitment or residing outside this state. During the period that such registration is under suspension, the department is not required to verify the address of the registrant pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and may withdraw the registration information from public access. Upon the release of the registrant from incarceration or civil commitment or resumption of residency in this state by the registrant, the department shall reinstate the registration, redistribute the registration information in accordance with subsection (a) of this section and resume verifying the address of the registrant in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. Suspension of registration shall not affect the date of expiration of the registration obligation of the registrant under section 4 of this act, or section 54-251, 54-252 or 54-253, as amended by this act.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall verify the address of each registrant by mailing a nonforwardable verification form to the registrant at the registrant's last reported address. Such form shall require the registrant to sign a statement that the registrant continues to reside at the registrant's last reported address and return the form by mail by a date which is ten days after the date such form was mailed to the registrant. The form shall contain a statement that failure to return the form or providing false information is a violation of section 4 of this act or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, as the case may be. Each person required to register under section 4 of this act or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, shall have such person's address verified in such manner every ninety days after such person's initial registration date. In the event that a registrant fails to return the address verification form, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall notify the local police department or the state police troop having jurisdiction over the registrant's last reported address, and that agency shall apply for a warrant to be issued for the registrant's arrest under section 4 of this act or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, as the case may be. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall not verify the address of registrants whose last reported address was outside this state.

(e) Whenever the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection receives notice from a superior court pursuant to section 52-11 or a probate court pursuant to section 45a-99 that such court has ordered the change of name of a person, and the department determines that such person is listed in the registry, the department shall revise such person's registration information accordingly.

(f) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall develop a protocol for the notification of other state agencies, the Judicial Department and local police departments whenever a person listed in the registry changes such person's name and notifies the commissioner of the new name pursuant to section 4 of this act or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, or whenever the commissioner determines pursuant to subsection (e) of this section that a person listed in the registry has changed such person's name.

Sec. 15. Section 54-258 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, except subdivisions (3), (4) and (5) of this subsection, the public registry under section 54-257, as amended by this act, maintained by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall be a public record and shall be accessible to the public during normal business hours. The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall make registry information available to the public through the Internet. Not less than once per calendar quarter, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall issue notices to all print and electronic media in the state regarding the availability and means of accessing the public registry. Each local police department and each state police troop shall keep a record of all registration information transmitted to it by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and shall make such information accessible to the public during normal business hours.

(2) (A) Any state agency, the Judicial Department, any state police troop or any local police department may, at its discretion, notify any government agency, private organization or individual of registration information when such agency, said department, such troop or such local police department, as the case may be, believes such notification is necessary to protect the public or any individual in any jurisdiction from any person who is subject to public registration under section 4 of this act, or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act.

(B) (i) Whenever a registrant is released into the community, or whenever a registrant changes such registrant's address and notifies the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such change pursuant to section 4 of this act or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, by electronic mail, notify the superintendent of schools for the school district in which the registrant resides, or plans to reside, of such release or new address, and provide such superintendent with the same registry information for such registrant that the department makes available to the public through the Internet under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(ii) Whenever a registrant is released into the community, or whenever a registrant changes such registrant's address and notifies the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection of such change pursuant to section 4 of this act or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, by electronic mail, notify the chief executive officer of the municipality in which the registrant resides, or plans to reside, of such release or new address, and provide such chief executive officer with the same registry information for such registrant that the department makes available to the public through the Internet under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, state agencies, the Judicial Department, state police troops and local police departments shall not disclose the identity of any victim of a crime committed by a registrant or treatment information provided to the registry pursuant to sections 54-102g and 54-250 to 54-258a, inclusive, as amended by this act, except to government agencies for bona fide law enforcement or security purposes.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, registration information the dissemination of which has been restricted by court order pursuant to section 54-255, as amended by this act, and which is not otherwise subject to disclosure, shall not be a public record and shall be released only for law enforcement purposes until such restriction is removed by the court pursuant to said section.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, a registrant's electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier shall not be a public record, except that the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection may release such identifier for law enforcement or security purposes in accordance with regulations adopted by the department. The department shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to specify the circumstances under which and the persons to whom such identifiers may be released including, but not limited to, providers of electronic communication service or remote computing service, as those terms are defined in section 54-260b, as amended by this act, and operators of Internet web sites, and the procedure therefor.

(6) When any registrant completes the registrant's term of registration or is otherwise released from the obligation to register under section 4 of this act, or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall notify any state police troop or local police department having jurisdiction over the registrant's last reported residence address that the person is no longer a registrant, and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, state police troop and local police department shall remove the registrant's name and information from the registry.

(b) Neither the state nor any political subdivision of the state nor any officer or employee thereof, shall be held civilly liable to any registrant by reason of disclosure of any information regarding the registrant that is released or disclosed in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. The state and any political subdivision of the state and, except in cases of wanton, reckless or malicious conduct, any officer or employee thereof, shall be immune from liability for good faith conduct in carrying out the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section.

Sec. 16. Section 54-260b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2018):

(a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) "Basic subscriber information" means: (A) Name, (B) address, (C) age or date of birth, (D) electronic mail address, instant message address or other similar Internet communication identifier, and (E) subscriber number or identity, including any assigned Internet protocol address;

(2) "Electronic communication" means "electronic communication" as defined in 18 USC 2510, as amended from time to time;

(3) "Electronic communication service" means "electronic communication service" as defined in 18 USC 2510, as amended from time to time;

(4) "Registrant" means a person required to register under section 3 or 4 of this act, or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act; and

(5) "Remote computing service" means "remote computing service" as defined in section 18 USC 2711, as amended from time to time.

(b) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall designate a sworn law enforcement officer to serve as liaison between the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and providers of electronic communication services or remote computing services to facilitate the exchange of non-personally-identifiable information concerning registrants.

(c) Whenever such designated law enforcement officer ascertains from such exchange of non-personally-identifiable information that there are subscribers, customers or users of such providers who are registrants, such officer shall initiate a criminal investigation to determine if such registrants are in violation of the registration requirements of section 3 or 4 of this act, or section 54-251, 54-252, 54-253 or 54-254, as amended by this act, or of the terms and conditions of their parole or probation by virtue of being subscribers, customers or users of such providers.

(d) Such designated law enforcement officer may request an ex parte order from a judge of the Superior Court to compel a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service to disclose basic subscriber information pertaining to subscribers, customers or users who have been identified by such provider to be registrants. The judge shall grant such order if the law enforcement officer offers specific and articulable facts showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the basic subscriber information sought is relevant and material to the ongoing criminal investigation. The order shall state upon its face the case number assigned to such investigation, the date and time of issuance and the name of the judge authorizing the order. The law enforcement officer shall have any ex parte order issued pursuant to this subsection signed by the authorizing judge within forty-eight hours or not later than the next business day, whichever is earlier.

(e) A provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service shall disclose basic subscriber information to such designated law enforcement officer when an order is issued pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.

(f) A provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service that provides information in good faith pursuant to an order issued pursuant to subsection (d) of this section shall be afforded the legal protections provided under 18 USC 3124, as amended from time to time, with regard to such actions.


This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2018	54-250
Sec. 2	July 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 3	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 4	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 5	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 6	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 7	October 1, 2018	54-251
Sec. 8	October 1, 2018	54-252
Sec. 9	October 1, 2018	54-253
Sec. 10	October 1, 2018	54-254
Sec. 11	October 1, 2018	54-255
Sec. 12	October 1, 2018	54-256
Sec. 13	October 1, 2018	New section
Sec. 14	October 1, 2018	54-257
Sec. 15	October 1, 2018	54-258
Sec. 16	October 1, 2018	54-260b

Statement of Purpose:

To enact the recommendations of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission with respect to the sex offender registry.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]