HB 69: SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION Number 553 CHAIRMAN VEZEY said the committee would need to review HB 43 more. He then read the title of HB 69 and asked Doug Wooliver if he would like to speak on behalf of the sponsor, Representative Barnes. Number 560 DOUG WOOLIVER, LEGISLATIVE AIDE TO REPRESENTATIVE BARNES, PRIME SPONSOR of HB 69, gave an overview of the value in registering sex offenders. He stated attempted sexual assault convictions would also be included. He said the registration length started after the unconditional discharge. He gave a list of the information that would be available to the public and explained why the information would be barred by the right to privacy. He shared statistics regarding recidivism. The information would better protect the public by allowing background checks to be easier, he said, and spoke of other states with similar statutes. TAPE 93-11, SIDE B Number 099 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked a question relating to registration in section 4, page 2, paragraph C of HB 69. Number 118 MEL KROGSENG, LEGISLATIVE AIDE TO REPRESENTATIVE RAMONA BARNES, said there were areas of the North Slope where Public Safety offices were closer than a State Trooper's office. It would be extreme to require someone to travel 200 miles to register at a troopers' office when the Department of Public Safety office would be acceptable, he said. Number 149 REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT asked if HB 69 included registration of minors. Number 154 MR. WOOLIVER said it would include minors who were convicted as an adult, yet juveniles might petition the court to seal their records. REPRESENTATIVE B. DAVIS discussed the amendment difference between the committee substitute (CS) and the original one. CHAIRMAN VEZEY discussed the amendment. Number 203 MR. WOOLIVER explained the change in CSHB 69 and what the changes did. Number 253 REPRESENTATIVE B. DAVIS asked if the chair would like her to move CSHB 69. CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated the committee should review CSHB 69 until the next meeting. Number 260 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked if CSHB 69 would be retroactive and if all sex offenders would register. He also referenced the fiscal note showing no increased costs. Number 268 MR. WOOLIVER explained the fiscal note from Public Safety. Number 286 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT discussed the Expo Facto Law. Number 289 MR. WOOLIVER stated the Expo Facto Law was in effect when punishment changed. He added CSHB 69 was regulatory only and did not promulgate an increase in punishment. Number 330 REPRESENTATIVE OLBERG clarified CSHB 69 applied only to sex offenders. Number 335 MR. WOOLIVER responded in the affirmative. Number 343 CINDY SMITH, DIRECTOR, NETWORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT, spoke in support of CSHB 69. She shared statistics regarding sex crimes and said Alaska was the rape capital of the nation. She noted there was a higher suicide rate on those assaulted, sex offenders reoffend, and most offenders were not treated. When there was treatment, there was no follow-up. Most offenders had a prior history of assaults before being caught. They hide information and CSHB 69 would make past information obtainable, she added. Number 397 REPRESENTATIVE GARY DAVIS asked if there were statistics regarding rehabilitated sex offenders. Number 400 MS. SMITH was not aware of any such statistics in Alaska. Nationally the recidivism was twenty to forty percent with treatment, she added. Number 412 ANDY KLAMSER, COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT, spoke in support of CSHB 69. He was a police officer for 15 years. For the past 9 years he investigated sex offenders. He discussed treatment for offenders. Many people came to Alaska to get away from their past, he said. He added CSHB 69 would be a reminder of how seriously Alaska took these crimes and their conduct. It might be a good deterrent but that was not the purpose of CSHB 69 since it was not an added punishment, he noted. Number 445 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT asked if there were any statistics to show if the registration program might deter sex offenders from repeating their crime. Number 451 MR. KLAMSER was not aware of any such statistics because it would be too hard to track.