HLS 12RS-262 REENGROSSED Page 1 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2012 HOUSE BILL NO. 70 BY REPRESENTATIVE ST. GERMAIN CRIME/SEX OFFENSES: Creates the crime of unlawful presence or contact of a sex offender relative to a former victim AN ACT1 To enact R.S. 14:91.9, relative to sexual offenders; to prohibit sex offenders from residing2 or being physically present within a certain distance of a former victim; to prohibit3 sex offenders from communicating with a former victim; to provide for penalties; to4 provide for affirmative defenses; and to provide for related matters.5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6 Section 1. R.S. 14:91.9 is hereby enacted to read as follows: 7 ยง91.9. Unlawful presence or contact of a sex offender relative to a former victim8 A. It shall be unlawful for any person convicted of a sex offense as defined9 in R.S. 15:541 to do any of the following:10 (1) Establish a residence or physically reside within three miles of the victim11 of the offense for which he was convicted.12 (2) Knowingly be physically present within three hundred feet of the victim13 of the offense for which he was convicted.14 (3) Communicate, either by electronic communication, in writing, or orally,15 with the victim of the offense for which he was convicted or an immediate family16 member of the victim, unless the victim consents to such communication in writing17 and the communication is made pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 46:1846.18 B. For purposes of this Section, "immediate family member" means the19 spouse, mother, father, aunt, uncle, sibling, or child of the victim, whether related by20 blood, marriage, or adoption.21 HLS 12RS-262 REENGROSSED HB NO. 70 Page 2 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. C.(1) Whoever violates the provisions of Paragraphs (A)(1) or (2) of this1 Section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned with or2 without hard labor for not more than one year, or both.3 (2) Whoever violates the provisions of Paragraph (A)(3) of this Section shall4 be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned for not more than six5 months, or both.6 D.(1)(a) It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution for a violation of7 Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section if the property where the offender resides was8 occupied by the offender prior to the date on which the victim began residing within9 three miles of the residence of the offender.10 (b) The affirmative defense provided in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph11 shall not be available to an offender who pleads guilty to or is convicted of a12 subsequent sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541 against the same victim after the13 victim began residing within three miles of the residence of the offender.14 (2)(a) It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution for a violation of15 Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section if the property where the offender resides was16 occupied by the offender prior to August 1, 2012.17 (b) The affirmative defense provided in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph18 shall not be available to an offender who pleads guilty to or is convicted of a19 subsequent sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541 against the same victim after20 August 1, 2012.21 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)] St. Germain HB No. 70 Abstract: Creates the crime of unlawful presence or communication of a sex offender relative to a former victim. Proposed law prohibits a sex offender from engaging in any of the following: (1)Establishing a residence or physically residing within three miles of the victim of the offense for which he was convicted. HLS 12RS-262 REENGROSSED HB NO. 70 Page 3 of 3 CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. (2)Knowingly being physically present within 300 feet of the victim of the offense for which he was convicted. (3)Communicating with the victim of the offense for which he was convicted or an immediate family member of the victim, unless the victim consents to such communication in writing. Proposed law defines "immediate family member" as the spouse, mother, father, aunt, uncle, sibling, or child of the victim, whether related by blood, marriage, or adoption. Proposed law provides for the following penalties: (1)Whoever violates the provisions of Paragraphs (1) and (2) of proposed law shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. (2)Whoever violates the provisions of Paragraph (3) of proposed law shall be fined not more than $500, imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Provides for the following affirmative defenses to prosecution for a violation of proposed law: (1)If the property where the offender resides was occupied by the offender prior to the date on which his victim began residing within three miles of the residence of the offender, unless the offender pleads guilty to or is convicted of a subsequent sex offense against the same victim after the victim began residing within three miles of the offender. (2)If the property where the offender resides was occupied by the offender prior to Aug. 1, 2012, unless the offender pleads guilty to or is convicted of a subsequent sex offense against the same victim after Aug. 1, 2012. (Adds R.S. 14:91.9) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice to the original bill. 1. Provided that the offender cannot knowingly be physically present within 300 feet of the victim of the offense for which he was convicted.