Budget Amendment ID: FY2022-S3-629

EPS 629

Judicial Reporting Requirements

Mr. Tarr moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

“SECTION _. The sex offender registry board, in consultation with the probate court, shall study and report on the effectiveness of the requirements under sections 178E to 178H, inclusive, of chapter 6 of the General Laws, section 13 of chapter 210 of the General Laws and the regulations under 803 C.M.R. 1.26(5) to prevent a person who is required to register as a sex offender under sections 178C to 178Q, inclusive, of said chapter 6 from changing their name in order to avoid detection by the board, governmental departments, agencies, institutions, municipal police departments or the public. The report shall include, but not be limited to, data on: (i) the number of people required to be registered as a sex offender who petition the probate court for a name change each year; (ii) the number of people convicted under section 178H of said chapter 6 for: (A) failure to verify registration information after a legal name change; or (B) knowingly providing false information regarding a legal name change; and (iii) the estimated total number of people required to be registered as a sex offender who avoid the registration requirements under sections 178E to 178H, inclusive, of said chapter 6 by legally changing their name.

The sex offender registry board shall file its report, together with any recommendations, with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives, the senate and house committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary not later than December 31, 2021.”.