The Sex Offense Victims Rights Expansion Act seeks to enhance the rights of victims of sex offenses by ensuring they are informed about significant changes in the offender's registration status and by establishing mandatory restraining orders under specific conditions. The bill requires that when a sex offender applies to terminate their registration obligation, the court must notify the victim and allow them to attend the hearing to express their views. If the court grants the application, the victim must also be informed of the termination of the offender's registration obligation.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws regarding restraining orders by mandating that courts issue orders prohibiting contact with the victim when a defendant charged with a sex offense is released before trial, provided the victim consents. At sentencing, courts must either continue existing contact restrictions or impose new ones, again contingent on the victim's consent. These orders will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the court, which cannot make changes without the victim's agreement. The provisions apply to all existing orders as of the bill's effective date and any new orders issued thereafter, prioritizing the rights and preferences of victims in the judicial process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:7-2, 2C:14-12, 2C:44-8