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2018 SESSION

18100809D
SENATE BILL NO. 24
Offered January 10, 2018
Prefiled November 20, 2017
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 9.1-906.1, relating to sex offenders in emergency shelters; notification registration.
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Patron-- Spruill
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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 9.1-906.1 as follows:

§ 9.1-906.1. Emergency shelters; notification; registration.

A. Any person required to register or reregister who enters any place or facility that is designated by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof as an emergency shelter and operated in response to a state or local emergency declared pursuant to Chapter 3.2 (§ 44-146.13 et seq.) of Title 44 shall, as soon as practicable after entry, notify a member of the emergency shelter's staff who is responsible for providing security at the emergency shelter that such person is a registered offender. Upon being notified by such person that he is a registered offender, the emergency shelter's staff may access the Registry information regarding such person that is publicly available on the Internet pursuant to § 9.1-913 and use such information in determining whether to make reasonable accommodations to ensure the safety of all persons residing in the emergency shelter. The use of such Registry information pursuant to this section does not constitute a violation of § 9.1-918. No person shall be denied entry into an emergency shelter solely on the basis of his status as a registered sex offender unless such entry is otherwise prohibited by law.

B. Any person required to register or reregister who is residing in an emergency shelter in accordance with subsection A shall register in person with the local law-enforcement agency where the emergency shelter is located within three days of entering the emergency shelter. The local law-enforcement agency shall forthwith forward to the State Police all necessary registration or reregistration information received by it pursuant to this subsection. Upon leaving the emergency shelter, such person shall register any change of residence in accordance with the provisions of subsection D of § 9.1-903.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 836 of the Acts of Assembly of 2017 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.