SB 187-HARASSMENT; SEX OFFENDERS & OFFENSES  1:35:17 PM CHAIR HOLLAND announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 187 "An Act relating to criminal law and procedure; relating to the crime of harassment; relating to the duty to register as a sex offender; amending the definition of 'sex offense'; relating to lifetime revocation of a teaching certificate for certain offenses; relating to the definition of 'domestic violence'; relating to multidisciplinary child protection teams; relating to arrest authority for pretrial services officers and probation officers; and providing for an effective date." [SB 187 was previously heard on 2/23/22 and 2/25/22.] 1:35:33 PM CHAIR HOLLAND opened public testimony on SB 187. 1:36:00 PM DAVID IGNELL, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, expressed concern that the bill might be politically motivated because it was introduced during an election year, which can bring out strong emotions from members of political parties. He offered his view that there is immense political power on the subject of sex crimes. MR. IGNELL stated that legislators must uphold the Alaska Constitution and US Constitution to protect individual freedoms, including the right to a fair trial by jury and the fundamental right to be protected from government tyranny. He provided several examples of people he believed were convicted of crimes that they did not commit. He wondered how this might occur and whether it resulted from officials in the criminal justice system seeking to advance their careers. MR. IGNELL offered his view that leading the charge on sex crimes is a proven way to get ahead in state government but standing up against the manipulation and abuse of sex crime laws can lead to disastrous career results. He provided anecdotal remarks to illustrate his point. MR. IGNELL noted that Alaska does not elect prosecutors or judges, only legislators, and the governor. 1:40:00 PM MR. IGNELL acknowledged the committee's legislative oversight of the Alaska Court System and the Department of Law. He offered his view that egregious violations of public oaths and constitutional rights occur when those wrongfully convicted remain in jail. He highlighted a Hoonah case to illustrate his point. 1:40:46 PM MR. IGNELL expressed concern that SB 187 would weaponize government tyranny and fear that innocent people could be swept up in politics. He commended a former legislator for standing up for their constituents who complained some manipulated the domestic violence laws and an attorney who dared to call out prosecutors who overstepped constitutional and ethical boundaries in sex crime cases. 1:41:54 PM MR. IGNELL suggested that members could go along with the politics or take a stand against government tyranny. 1:42:37 PM KATIE BOTZ, representing self, Juneau, Alaska, asked members to be mindful of victims as they consider SB 187. She said she was still affected by the trauma of being sexually abused when she was 12 years old. She suggested that the committee require sexual predators to register long-term because they can continue victimizing people. She reminded members that Alaska ranks first in the nation for sexual assault. 1:45:22 PM ANNIE COUEY, representing self, Anchorage, Alaska, said she graduated from West High School in 2021. She said she was raped in June 2021 when she was 17 and the perpetrator was 21. She related that she told him no and to stop. She pushed him away, but then she froze. She reported her sexual assault case to the police department and described what had happened. She said they told her she had a case. Almost a week later, a detective assigned to her case informed her that the police would not continue to investigate her case because the statutes for a sexual assault require the perpetrator to use force and violence during the assault. She offered her belief that what happened to her was wrong and she deserves justice, but she will never receive it. She stated that she is testifying today because no victim should be denied justice and that Alaska has the worst sexual assault and violence record in the nation. Alaska's laws do not support victims. She offered her view that victims like her who froze out of fear and shock should get justice. She urged members to pass the bill. 1:47:16 PM CHAIR HOLLAND, after ascertaining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on SB 187. 1:47:25 PM CHAIR HOLLAND temporarily set aside SB 187. He stated his intention to bring it back before the committee later in the meeting. SB 187-HARASSMENT; SEX OFFENDERS & OFFENSES  2:17:50 PM CHAIR HOLLAND brought SB 187 back before the committee for further consideration. 2:18:19 PM SENATOR KIEHL referred to sex offender registration. He related his understanding that this would affect people who were no longer under probation or parole but still needed to be registered. He highlighted that the bill adds new requirements related to travel, including requiring a person to submit their plans to the department in person. 2:19:17 PM KELLY HOWELL, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Public Safety, Juneau, Alaska, responded that the requirement for in-person notification for out-of-state travel was to comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). She explained that SORNA requires in-person registration and notification, which confirms that the person is still present in the state before departing. However, the department understands that Alaska's vast geography and where offenders may currently reside could create difficulties for them to comply. She noted the department was amenable to suggestions the committee may have. 2:20:52 PM CHAIR HOLLAND asked whether there was any conflict if the state did not require in-person notification since the federal law requires it. 2:21:01 PM LISA PURINTON, Chief, Criminal Records and Identification Bureau, Department of Public Safety (DPS), Anchorage, Alaska, stated that the changes were primarily to comply with SORNA. She explained that sex offenders must report any changes in travel, name, or address to their local law enforcement. 2:21:59 PM SENATOR KIEHL referred to AS 12.63.101 (h) in Section 7 on page 6. That provision requires the offender to notify the department in writing if they plan to travel for seven days or more. He noted that these offenders are no longer on parole or probation but are on the registry. He asked how the traveling person could meet this requirement if their plans changed during the trip. MS. HOWELL deferred to Ms. Purinton. MS. PURINTON responded that if the sex offender's travel plans were interrupted, such as their flight was canceled or they missed the flight; then it would be considered extenuating circumstances. She noted that the federal law that governs SORNA provides an allowance for unforeseen circumstances. The person would provide the documentation and immediately work to remedy the situation. 2:23:56 PM SENATOR KIEHL stated that he was focused on those individuals no longer under state supervision since registration requirements would interfere with the person's freedom to travel. He related that he recently took a trip and decided to stay a few extra days. He expressed concern if there were not a way for a sex offender not under state supervision to modify their travel plans as long as there is a way for them to notify the registry. He was unsure what public purpose would be served if they could only change their plans except in circumstances beyond their control. 2:25:08 PM MS. PURINTON responded that she would have to look into the change in travel plans. For example, if the person originally submitted a plan to travel to North Caroline, but travel plans changed and the person decided to go to Disney World in Orlando. She was unsure how that would be addressed. She acknowledged that the department has change forms, which is typically how sex offenders would notify the registry of changes in any of their information. She said this is the method sex offenders use to meet the in-writing requirement. 2:25:58 PM MS. HOWELL responded that the purpose of SORNA and the National Sex Offender Registry is to ensure uniformity among states as offenders travel. As Ms. Purinton mentioned, traveling to another state that is not part of the plan requires the sex offender from Alaska to notify the other states where that person plans to travel. She highlighted it as one reason why informing about changes in travel was necessary. 2:26:50 PM CHAIR HOLLAND advised members that he was working with stakeholders on a committee substitute (CS) for SB 187. 2:27:21 PM SENATOR HUGHES asked if the information that appears on SORNA, whether it would include the person's name, address, convictions, or something else. 2:27:41 PM MS. HOWELL deferred to Ms. Purinton. 2:28:01 PM MS. PURINTON replied that it would be the offender's name, location, conviction, and whether the person is compliant with their registration requirements. She stated that she would need to review it to see what else was provided. Still, no personal information is listed, such as the person's Alaska Driver's License or social security number. CHAIR HOLLAND asked whether SORNA shows any images. MS. PURINTON answered yes. She stated that a photo of the person is on the website. 2:28:50 PM SENATOR HUGHES asked whether the public could click on a city and see a map location of where sex offenders reside. MS. PURINTON related that the sex offender registry is searchable by zip code, multiple zip codes, or city to obtain the offenders registered in those areas. 2:29:27 PM CHAIR HOLLAND held SB 187 in committee.