1997-03-12                     Senate Journal                      Page 0691
                  INTRODUCTION AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS                 
                                                                               
SB 132                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 132 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act relating to registration of sex offenders and                          
central registry of sex offenders; relating to access                          
to, release of, and use of criminal justice                                    
information and systems; relating to notices                                   
concerning sex offender registrants; and providing                             
for an effective date.                                                         
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education and              
Social Services, Judiciary and Finance Committees.                             
                                                                               
Fiscal notes published today from Department of Public Safety (2).             
Indeterminate fiscal notes published today from Department of                  
Administration (2).                                                            
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated March 10:                                   
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
Reducing the number of people, especially children, who are                    
victimized by violent and repeat sex offenders is an important part            
of my goal of ensuring safe, healthy communities for Alaskans.  This           
bill strengthens the sex offender registration statutes and broadens           
access to criminal records in an effort to better protect the public           
from these criminals.                                                          
                                                                               
The bill is prompted, in part, to comply with the requirements of the          
federal Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually                  
Violent Offender Registration Act which requires registration of sex           
offenders whose victims were under 18 years old.  Compliance with              
the Act will maintain the states eligibility for $200,000 in grant             
funds.