The bill establishes new regulations for adult sex offenders regarding their ability to apply for and accept employment or volunteer positions that involve direct interaction with minors. Specifically, individuals who are 18 years or older and required to register as sex offenders for offenses involving minor victims are prohibited from engaging in such roles unless they obtain a court order that relieves them from this restriction. The process for obtaining this relief includes petitioning the district court, serving the petition on the prosecuting attorney, and providing detailed documentation about their conviction and criminal history. The court must hold a hearing and can grant relief only if it finds clear and convincing evidence that the offender does not pose a substantial risk to minors.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law to clarify that offenses punishable under the newly created section 6-2-321 are not eligible for expungement. The provisions of this act will apply to employment and volunteer positions that commence on or after July 1, 2024, and it explicitly states that it will not affect positions that began prior to this date. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 7-13-1502