Existing law, the Sex Offender Registration Act, requires a person convicted of one of certain crimes, as specified, to register with law enforcement as a sex offender while residing in California or while attending school or working in California, as specified. Existing law, on and after July 1, 2021, authorizes a person to file a petition in the superior court in the county in which they are registered for termination from the sex offender registry on or after their next birthday following the expiration of the mandated minimum registration period.

This bill would require a person described above to show proof of successful completion of a California Sex Offender Management Board-certified sex offender treatment program in order to file the above-described petition, and make conforming changes.

If the district attorney requests a hearing regarding the above-described petition, under existing law, the district attorney is entitled to present evidence regarding whether community safety would be significantly enhanced by requiring continued registration.

This bill would require the petitioner to personally appear at the hearing. The bill would require the court to consider whether the offender was in a position of trust or authority in relation to the victim in the above-described determination.