An Act To Amend Title 11 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Sex Offender Community Notification.
Instead of binders, the bill mandates that when requested, schools and child care providers must inform parents and guardians about the availability of sex offender information online via the Delaware Sex Offender Central Registry. This registry provides comprehensive and up-to-date information about registered offenders and is accessible to the public, thereby allowing parents to be informed without putting the educational staff in a position to manage sensitive information. Additionally, the bill reinforces the responsibilities of law enforcement in managing and disseminating pertinent registration information, thus centralizing authority in a way that enhances community safety.
Senate Bill 66 aims to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code concerning the notification process for registered sex offenders. Historically, schools, school districts, and licensed child care providers were mandated to maintain binders of community notifications regarding registered offenders. This requirement led to various financial, administrative, and emotional burdens on staff, and the binders often contained outdated information that may not be relevant to the immediate community. The bill seeks to alleviate these issues by eliminating the requirement for schools to maintain these binders, thereby streamlining the notification process and reducing the burden on educators.
The sentiment around SB66 is primarily supportive among sponsors and law enforcement, who argue that the bill is a necessary update to align with modern informational access requirements. By shifting the focus from schools to law enforcement for releasing sex offender information, proponents believe misconceptions surrounding the notification binder approach can be resolved. However, there may be concerns among parents and advocacy groups about the potential reduction in direct communication from schools regarding local offenders, which could create anxiety within the community regarding safety.
While the bill is seen as a positive step towards modernizing sex offender notifications, there may be contention regarding how effectively schools can communicate to parents about these changes. Some stakeholders express concern that relying solely on online access may not be sufficient for keeping families informed about local risks. Additionally, debates about whether enough is being done to ensure children's safety from offenders persist, highlighting the balancing act between public education and safeguarding the community.