The proposed legislation, known as "Maighen's Law," seeks to amend the Sex Offender Registration Act of 1997 in Arkansas. The bill introduces new criteria for lifetime registration of sex offenders, specifically adding a provision that requires lifetime registration for offenders who, at the time of their offense, were over 24 years old and the victim was under 15 years old. This addition aims to enhance the protection of minors and ensure that offenders who exploit significant age differences are subject to stricter registration requirements.

Additionally, the bill removes a previous condition that allowed for lifetime registration based on multiple failures to comply with registration and reporting requirements, specifically the clause regarding offenders who have pleaded guilty or been found guilty of such failures three or more times. This change reflects a shift in focus towards more severe offenses and the age of the victim, thereby tightening the criteria for lifetime registration and potentially increasing accountability for serious offenders.

Statutes affected:
SB 393: 12-12-919(a)
Act 362: 12-12-919(a)