HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1369
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to sex offenders.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that persons convicted of a sexual offense often commit further sexual offenses.  Children and families expect day care centers, schools, playgrounds, and other child-friendly areas to be safe and free from sexual predators.  The legislature further finds the need to maintain the safety of our children in these areas.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish statewide residency standards to prohibit persons age eighteen or older who have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child twelve years old or younger from residing within close proximity to a child-friendly facility or area.

     SECTION 2.  (a) The department of public safety shall develop statewide residency standards that shall prohibit persons who have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child twelve years old or younger from residing within close proximity to a day care center, school, playground, or other child-friendly facility or area.  The department of public safety shall work in consultation with a representative from each county and a representative from each of the following agencies:

       (1)  Department of the attorney general;

       (2)  Department of human services;

       (3)  Department of health;

       (4)  Hawaii public housing authority;

       (5)  Department of education; and

       (6)  Any other agency or organization as deemed appropriate by the department of public safety.  

     (b) The department of public safety, working in consultation with each county and the agencies named in subsection (a) of this section, shall identify:

       (1)  Areas in which persons who have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child twelve years old or younger should not reside due to public safety and welfare concerns; and

       (2)  Areas in which persons who have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child twelve years old or younger currently reside.

SECTION 3.  The statewide residency standards referenced in subsection (a) of section 2 of this Act shall take into account:

    (a)   Available housing units to accommodate persons who have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child twelve years old or younger;

    (b)   Average response time of emergency services to these areas;

    (c)   Proximity of medical services, mental health providers, and sex offender treatment providers to these areas; and

    (d)   The Constitutional rights of persons who have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child twelve years old or younger.

SECTION 4.  The department of public safety shall report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2014 regular session on the status of the statewide residency standards, including any recommendations for legislation and funding to implement the statewide residency standards.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Sex Offenders; Residency Standards

Description:

Requires the Department of Public Safety, working in consultation with each county and specified agencies, to develop statewide residency standards that prohibit persons who have been convicted of a sexual offense against a child twelve years old or younger from residing within close proximity to a child-friendly facility or area.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.