COMMISSION TO SERVE AS GUIDE ON SEX OFFENDER INITIATIVES
Sen. Bill Diamond of Windham
Sex Offender Risk Assessment Commission to have expanded role with state’s work
AUGUSTA – A measure to continue and expand the work of the Sex Offender Risk Assessment Advisory Commission received support from advocates and law enforcement at today’s public hearing. Immediately following the public hearing, the state’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee unanimously voted to support the measure.
“Assessing the risk of sex offenders is a key component of this committee’s work,” said Democratic State Senator Bill Diamond of Windham, the sponsor of the measure. “The advice by the Commission is critical to the committee’s review of laws as they pertain to sex offender initiatives and the Sex Offender Registration.”
The bill, LD 379, “An Act To Create the Sex Offender Management and Risk Assessment Advisory Commission,” suggests the following four changes:
-
Broaden the commission’s charge so it is authorized to make recommendations regarding Maine’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). To date, the Commission has identified technical issues and needed amendments;
-
Authorize the commission to study and make policy recommendations concerning sex offender management and risk assessment;
-
Grant the commission the authority to enter contracts and accept grants;
-
Move the commission’s language from Title 17-A of the Criminal code to Title 34-A of the Corrections code.
The Sex Offender Risk Assessment Advisory Commission was born out of a 2012 law sponsored by then-State Representative Anne Haskell who now serves as a State Senator from Portland.
The bill now moves forward to the Senate for consideration.