HLS 12RS-953 REENGROSSED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 249
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON
SEX OFFENSE/REGISTRY: Provides relative to sex offender notification requirements
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 15:542.1(D), relative to sex offender registration and notification; to provide2
relative to sex offender notification requirements; to require certain sex offenders3
and child predators to provide notification for certain networking websites; to4
provide for the contents of such notification; to provide for definitions; and to5
provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 15:542.1(D) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 8
ยง542.1. Notification of sex offenders and child predators9
* * *10
D.(1) Any person who is required to register pursuant to the provisions of11
this Chapter, who is otherwise not prohibited from using a networking website, and12
who creates a profile or who uses the functionality of a networking website to13
contact or attempt to contact other networking website users shall include in his14
profile for the networking website an indication that he is a sex offender or child15
predator and shall include notice of the crime for which he was convicted, the16
jurisdiction of conviction, a description of his physical characteristics as required by17
this Section, and his residential address. The person shall ensure that this18
information is displayed in his profile for the networking website and that such19
information is visible to, or is able to be viewed by, other users and visitors of the20
networking website.21 HLS 12RS-953 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 249
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are additions.
(2)(a) For purposes of this Subsection, "networking website" means an1
Internet website, the purpose of which is social interaction with other networking2
website users, which contains profile web pages of the members of the website that3
include the names or nicknames of such members, that allows photographs and any4
other personal or personally identifying information to be placed on the profile web5
pages by such members, and which provides links to other profile web pages on the6
networking website of friends or associates of such members that can be accessed7
by other members or visitors to the website. A networking website provides8
members of, or visitors to, such website the ability to leave messages or comments9
on the profile web page that are visible to all or some visitors to the profile web page10
and may also include a form of electronic mail for members of the networking11
website.12
(b) For purposes of this Subparagraph, "networking website" shall not13
include any of the following:14
(i) An Internet website the primary purpose of which is the facilitation of15
commercial transactions involving goods or services between its members or16
visitors.17
(ii) An Internet website the primary purpose of which is the dissemination18
of news.19
(iii) An Internet website of a governmental entity.20
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Thompson HB No. 249
Abstract: Requires sex offenders and child predators to provide notification on certain
networking websites of their status as sex offenders or child predators.
Present law provides that sex offenders and child predators are required to provide certain
notifications to local law enforcement and the community.
Present law provides certain penalties for the failure to comply with sex offender registration
and notification requirements. HLS 12RS-953 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 249
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Proposed law retains present law and adds notification on a networking website for any sex
offender or child predator, who is otherwise not prohibited from accessing the networking
website pursuant to present law, who creates a profile or who uses the functionality of the
networking website to contact other networking website users to the list of present law
notification requirements. Provides for the contents of proposed law notification.
Proposed law defines "networking website".
(Adds R.S. 15:542.1(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill.
1. Added provision which states that the provisions of proposed law do not apply
to an offender who is otherwise prohibited from accessing networking websites
pursuant to present law.
House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Clarified that the provisions of proposed law also apply to child predators who
are required to register pursuant to present law.
2. Amended the definition of "networking website" to exclude certain commercial
websites, news websites, and websites of governmental entities.