Bill > SB442

This bill amends Louisiana law to clarify and expand the crime of unlawful use of a social networking website, specifically targeting individuals required to register as sex offenders. It defines "social networking website" as an internet site primarily for social interaction that allows users to create public profiles and communicate with others, while excluding sites focused solely on photo sharing, email, instant messaging, commercial transactions, news dissemination, or governmental entities. The bill makes it a crime for registered sex offenders, who have prior convictions for offenses involving minors or sex offenses where the victim was a minor, to intentionally use such websites, which includes creating a profile or contacting other users. This prohibition also extends to offenses equivalent to those listed under other jurisdictions' laws, provided they were prosecuted with due process. Penalties for this offense include fines and imprisonment, with increased penalties for repeat convictions. Additionally, the bill mandates that courts inform offenders convicted of specific sex offenses involving minors that this new law prohibiting social media use is applicable to them and provide them with a copy of the statute.