Bill > HB5915

This bill amends the Sex Offender Registration Act to change the mandatory sentencing guidelines for individuals who willfully violate the act. Specifically, for those with one prior conviction for violating the act, the minimum prison sentence is reduced from 7 years to 2 years, while still allowing for life imprisonment. For those with two or more prior convictions, the minimum prison sentence is reduced from 10 years to 4 years, also allowing for life imprisonment. The bill also clarifies that the imprisonment can be for "life or any term of years but not less than" the specified minimums, and it maintains the existing penalties for first-time offenders and for specific violations like failing to comply with certain registration requirements or failing to pay registration fees, which are classified as misdemeanors. The context for these changes is to adjust the severity of penalties for repeat offenders under the Sex Offender Registration Act.