Existing law, the Sex Offender Registration Act, requires a person convicted of one of certain crimes, as specified, to register with law enforcement as a sex offender while residing in California or while attending school or working in California, as specified. Existing law exempts from mandatory registration under the act a person convicted of certain offenses involving minors if the person is not more than 10 years older than the minor and if that offense is the only one requiring the person to register. A willful failure to register, as required by the act, is a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the underlying offense.
This bill would make that exemption only apply if the person is not more than 3 years older than the minor. The bill would additionally subject a person convicted of statutory rape to mandatory registration, if the person is more than 3 years older than the minor. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Statutes affected:
SB615: 261.5 PEN
02/18/21 - Introduced: 261.5 PEN
03/10/21 - Amended Senate: 290 PEN, 290.005 PEN, 261.5 PEN
SB 615: 261.5 PEN