The bill amends the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act to align with the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, enhancing the registration and notification requirements for sex offenders in New Mexico. Key provisions include a reduction in the timeframe for sex offenders to register with law enforcement from five business days to three days after release or change of residence, and the establishment of a central registry. The bill introduces detailed personal information requirements for registration, categorizes offenses into three tiers based on severity, and mandates that homeless offenders register their temporary locations.

Additionally, the bill revises the verification process for sex offenders based on their offense tier, with Tier 3 offenders verifying every ninety days for life, Tier 2 every six months for twenty-five years, and Tier 1 annually for fifteen years. It also requires sex offenders to notify the county sheriff thirty days prior to moving out of state and provides a framework for penalties related to non-compliance. Law enforcement officials must respond to registration information requests within seven days, and the county sheriff is tasked with notifying local daycare centers and schools about registered offenders. A public website will be established to provide registration information while ensuring the protection of sensitive data, and the language used in notifications will be updated for clarity and inclusivity.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 29-11A-2, 29-11A-3, 29-11A-4, 29-11A-4.1, 29-11A-5.1, 29-11A-7
CP substitute: 29-11A-2, 29-11A-3, 29-11A-4, 29-11A-4.1, 29-11A-5.1, 29-11A-7