An Act To Restrict Access to Certain Websites by Sex Offenders

Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §1160  is enacted to read:

§ 1160.  Restrictions on sex offenders for websites

A person convicted of a sex offense as defined in Title 34-A, section 11203, subsection 6 or a sexually violent offense as defined in Title 34-A, section 11203, subsection 7 may not access a website that is likely to be frequented by minors. A person who violates this section commits a Class D crime. A person who has one prior conviction under this section who violates this section commits a Class C crime. A person who has 2 or more convictions under this section who violates this section commits a Class B crime. Violation of this section is a strict liability crime as defined in section 34, subsection 4-A. Section 9-A governs the use of prior convictions when determining a sentence.

Sec. 2. Appropriations and allocations. The following appropriations and allocations are made.

PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF

Maine State Police Crime Laboratory

Initiative: Provides funds for the Computer Crimes Unit to detect if sex offenders are accessing websites likely to be frequented by minors.

GENERAL FUND	2007-08	2008-09
All Other	$100,000	$100,000
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$100,000	$100,000

summary

This bill makes ongoing General Fund appropriations of $100,000 per year for the Department of Public Safety, Maine State Police Crime Laboratory, Computer Crimes Unit to enforce the prohibition of those who are convicted of sex offenses or sexually violent offenses from accessing websites likely to be frequented by minors.