HB 624 and SB 127: Require all juveniles over the age of 13 who commit certain offenses to register as sex offenders. 

Studies have shown that 85-95% of youth who commit sex offenses are never again arrested for sex crimes. These children should not be labeled as sex offenders for life because doing so will limit their educational and career opportunities and undermine their ability to become productive members of society.

Understanding that the General Assembly is likely to pass some law requiring juveniles to register as sex offenders, we urge legislators to make a few amendments to these bills.

1. Allow judges to retain discretion over which juveniles should be required to register as a sex offender,

2. Ensure that the registry information for these juvenile offenders is non-public and that access is limited only to law enforcement, and 

3. Ensure that this bill is not retroactive and applies only to crimes committed after the law is enacted.

Failed to pass in the legislature.