Senator Shamp Champions Legislation to Protect Arizona's Children
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Janae Shamp is advancing efforts to protect Arizona's vulnerable population from criminals who have committed dangerous crimes against children (DCAC). This legislative session, she has had multiple bills signed into law aimed at ensuring communities are informed about the release of such offenders into society.
SB 1236 will now require additional level one sex offenders convicted of DCAC, the most serious crimes against children, to be listed on the internet sex offender website. Convicted sex offenders are classified as level one, level two, or level three based on their perceived risk of reoffending. Under current law, many level one offenders are not required to be listed on the state's offender website, leading to a lack of awareness among parents, coaches, teachers, and the public about the criminal pasts of individuals who may interact with children.
SB 1404 mandates that schools be notified if a parent of a child attending that school is a registered sex offender convicted of DCAC. This new law particularly addresses situations where children attend schools outside their residential district.
"This session, I made it my goal to be a living nightmare for sex offenders," said Senator Shamp. "I introduced several bills, including SB 1236 and SB 1404, to protect our state's most innocent and vulnerable while increasing consequences for criminals who commit these horrific crimes. DCACs include sex trafficking, mutilation, prostitution, and commercial sexual exploitation. These crimes have lifelong and potentially deadly effects on a child. Every parent and every school deserves to know who these criminals are in order to better protect their children."
This legislation takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the legislature.
For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov
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