Bill > A1253

Introduced Session

This bill prohibits certain sex offenders from using social networking websites and requires them to provide certain identifying information. The bill is intended to protect the youth of this State by prohibiting sex offenders from using social networking websites that allow users to create a profile or post personal information. Sex offender is defined as a person who has been convicted, adjudicated delinquent, or found not guilty by reason of insanity for committing a broad range of sexual offenses as defined in the sex offender registration (Megan's) law, which involves a victim under 18 years of age. It also includes a person who has been convicted by a foreign government of a similar sexual offense to those defined in the sex offender registration (Megan's) law or sentenced based on similar criteria, which involves a victim under 18 years of age. The bill defines social networking website as an internet website that allows users to post personal information that is accessible by third parties and that allows communication among users. Use is defined as creating an online profile, page or similar account that allows the user to post personal information that may be viewed by third parties, or to contact or attempt to contact other users of the social networking website. A violator would be guilty of a crime of the third degree, which carries a penalty of three to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. This bill also requires sex offenders to provide the appropriate law enforcement agency with their email address, username, or identifier that is used on the Internet to ensure compliance with this act. A person who fails to provide the information, who provides false information or who fails to provide notice of any change is guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, which carries a penalty of up to 18 months imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Marlene Caride (D)*,  JoAnn Downey (D)*,  Angelica Jimenez (D)*,  Annette Quijano (D)*,  Benjie Wimberly (D), 

Reported out of Asm. Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee (on 04/04/2016)