Substitute Senate Bill No. 509, also known as Public Act No. 26-96, implements significant reforms to the registration and verification processes for individuals convicted of sexually violent offenses. The bill repeals and replaces subdivision (11) of section 54-250, redefining "sexually violent offense" and updating the criteria by changing the reference from subdivision (2) to subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 53a-72a. It also modifies subsections (e) of sections 54-251, 54-252, 54-253, and 54-254, establishing that individuals who fail to notify the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection of changes in name, address, or status will only face penalties if the failure continues for five business days. Additionally, the bill introduces affirmative defenses for individuals prosecuted under these sections, allowing them to argue that circumstances beyond their control prevented compliance, provided they did not contribute to those circumstances and complied within twenty business days after the circumstances ceased.

The bill further amends existing laws to allow the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to suspend the registration of individuals who are incarcerated, under civil commitment, or residing outside the state, during which time the department is not required to verify the registrant's residence address. Upon the registrant's release or return to the state, their registration will be reinstated. New requirements are also introduced for registrants to provide proof of residency within a specified timeframe after their initial registration, with acceptable forms including utility bills and official correspondence from government agencies. If proof is not received, the department will send a nonforwardable address verification form, and failure to respond may lead to law enforcement seeking a warrant for the registrant's arrest. The bill mandates the maintenance of updated photographic images of registrants and the revision of registration information in the event of a name change.

Statutes affected:
Public Act No. 26-96: 54-257