Bill > HB48

This bill enacts new restrictions under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, prohibiting registered sex offenders whose offenses involved the internet and a victim under sixteen years old from knowingly communicating with anyone they know or believe to be under sixteen through instant messaging, chat rooms, or social networking websites. These restrictions apply for ten years after the offender completes their sentence, probation, or parole, and violating them constitutes a fourth-degree felony, escalating to a third-degree felony for subsequent offenses. Exceptions exist for communication with the offender's own child, stepchild, or adopted child, provided it doesn't violate supervision conditions or court orders, and for offenders who were under twenty-one at the time of the offense and no more than four years older than the person they solicited. The bill defines "instant messaging or chat room program" as software requiring registration for real-time typed text communication, excluding email or message boards, and "social networking web site" as a site facilitating social introductions that requires registration for member communication and profile creation, also excluding email or message boards.