House Republican Press Release

January 29, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REPRESENTATIVE O’NEILL COSPONSORS LEGISLATION TO NOTIFY COMMUNITIES OF SEX OFFENDERS

Bill Would Give Neighbors Notice When Registered Sex Offender Moves In

HARTFORD- State Representative Arthur J. O’Neill, R-Southbury, has cosponsored legislation that would notify nearby residents when a convicted sex offender moves to a community. House Bill 5165, An Act Concerning Notification Of The Release Of A Registered Sexual Offender Into The Community, has been submitted to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee.

The bill would require that a detailed notice be sent to the neighbors of a registered sexual offender and to the superintendent of schools in the town where a registered sexual offender will reside after his or her release from incarceration. Specifically, it would require that people who live within 500 feet of the intended residence of such sexual offender and the local school superintendent be notified by certified mail. The notice must include the name and address of the sexual offender and the crime or crimes for which such person was convicted that required registration as a sexual offender.

 “Even though the state’s sex offender registry can be viewed online at any time, this legislation would provide an additional way to make people aware of sex offenders living nearby,” said Representative O’Neill. “Notifying neighbors when a sex offender moves in represents a practical way to help protect children.”

Connecticut’s sex offender registry law applies to persons convicted, or acquitted by reason of insanity, of four types of offenses: criminal offenses against a victim who is a minor, nonviolent sexual offenses, and violent sexual offenses. Additionally, courts may require people to register if they are convicted of felonies committed for sexual purposes. Depending on the severity of the crime, people must register for either 10 years or life.

Anyone convicted or found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect of one of the above-stated crimes and released into the community must register with the public safety commissioner. They must continue to register even if they move out-of-state.