4.__Strict liability.__Violation of this section is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17-A, section 34, subsection 4-A.

5.__Prior convictions.__Title 17-A, section 9-A governs the use of prior convictions when determining a sentence.

6.__Affirmative defense.__It is an affirmative defense that the failure to comply with a duty imposed under this chapter or a rule adopted pursuant to this chapter resulted from just cause, except that a person to whom section 11222, subsection 2-A, 2-B or 2-C applies may not raise a defense under just cause that the person was not aware of the registration requirement.

Sec. 24. Interim meetings authorized. The Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety is authorized to meet once, in addition to any other authorized meetings, during the 2005 legislative interim to review the criminal sentencing laws for sex offenses and the public safety issues related to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 1999. At this meeting the committee shall seek information and data from public and private entities as necessary to examine and recommend changes to the current laws governing the sentencing, registration, release and supervision of sex offenders. The committee may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 122nd Legislature regarding the criminal sentencing laws for sex offenses and the public safety issues related to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 1999.