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1997 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 249
Continuing the Virginia State Crime Commission's study of "Megan's Law."

Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 1997
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 20, 1997

WHEREAS, Congress passed an amendment to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Act, known as "Megan's Law," in April 1996; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Crime Commission undertook a study to formulate Virginia's response to the federal legislation; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Crime Commission found that Virginia needed to address a number of issues in the Jacob Wetterling Act in order to be in compliance by October 1997; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Crime Commission recommended a number of legislative measures to the 1997 Virginia General Assembly and to the Governor which would improve registration and tracking of sex offenders in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Crime Commission recommended legislation to establish a "sexually violent predator" designation; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Crime Commission recommended that the legislation for implementation of "Megan's Law," or public notification of the presence of a sex offender in a community, be addressed in the second year of the study in order to make the changes to the Sex Offender Registry; and

WHEREAS, there are legal and public safety implications related to the passage of a public notification of sex offenders; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia State Crime Commission is working with professionals from law enforcement, corrections, the judiciary, and mental health to develop notification legislation which will enhance the safety of all Virginians, especially the children, and withstand legal challenge; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia State Crime Commission be directed to continue its study of "Megan's Law." The Commission shall develop legislation for public notification of sex offenders for consideration by the 1998 Session of the General Assembly.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

The Commission shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1998 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.