GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1997 SESSION

SESSION LAW 1997-516
SENATE BILL 676

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SEXUAL OFFENDER REGISTRATION PROGRAM TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL LAW.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  Article 27A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"ARTICLE 27A.
"
"Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Programs.
"Part 1. Registration Programs, Purpose and Definitions Generally.
"§ 14-208.5.  Purpose.
The General Assembly recognizes that sex offenders often pose a high risk of engaging in sex offenses even after being released from incarceration or commitment and that protection of the public from sex offenders is of paramount governmental interest.
The General Assembly also recognizes that persons who commit certain other types of offenses against minors, such as kidnapping, pose significant and unacceptable threats to the public safety and welfare of the children in this State and that the protection of those children is of great governmental interest.  Further, the General Assembly recognizes that law enforcement officers' efforts to protect communities, conduct investigations, and quickly apprehend offenders who commit sex offenses or certain offenses against minors are impaired by the lack of information available to law enforcement agencies about convicted offenders who live within the agency's jurisdiction.  Release of information about these offenders will further the governmental interests of public safety so long as the information released is rationally related to the furtherance of those goals.
Therefore, it is the purpose of this Article to assist law enforcement agencies' efforts to protect communities by requiring persons who are convicted of sex offenses or of certain other offenses committed against minors to register with law enforcement agencies, to require the exchange of relevant information about those offenders among law enforcement agencies, and to authorize the access to necessary and relevant information about those offenders to others as provided in this Article.
"§ 14-208.6.  Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Article:
(1a)	'County registry' means the information compiled by the sheriff of a county in compliance with this Article.
(1b)	'Division' means the Division of Criminal Statistics of the Department of Justice.
(1c)	'Mental abnormality' means a congenital or acquired condition of a person that affects the emotional or volitional capacity of the person in a manner that predisposes that person to the commission of criminal sexual acts to a degree that makes the person a menace to the health and safety of others.
(1d)	'Offense against a minor' means any of the following offenses if the offense is committed against a minor, and the person committing the offense is not the minor's parent or legal custodian:  G.S. 14-39 (kidnapping), G.S. 14-41 (abduction of children), and G.S. 14-43.3 (felonious restraint).
(2)	'Penal institution' means:
a.	A detention facility operated under the jurisdiction of the Division of Prisons of the Department of Correction;
b.	A detention facility operated under the jurisdiction of another state or the federal government; or
c.	A detention facility operated by a local government in this State or another state.
(2a)	'Personality disorder' means an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment.
(3)	'Release' means discharged or paroled.
(4)	'Reportable conviction' means:
a.	A final conviction for an offense against a minor, a sexually violent offense, or an attempt to commit any of those offenses. 
b.	A final conviction in another state of an offense, which if committed in this State, would have been an offense against a minor or a sexually violent offense as defined by this section.
c.	A final conviction in a federal jurisdiction of an offense, which is substantially similar to an offense against a minor or a sexually violent offense as defined by this section.
(5)	'Sexually violent offense' means a violation of G.S. 14-27.2 (first degree rape), G.S. 14-27.3 (second degree rape), G.S. 14-27.4 (first degree sexual offense), G.S. 14-27.5 (second degree sexual offense), G.S. 14-27.6 (attempted rape or sexual offense), G.S. 14-27.7 (intercourse and sexual offense with certain victims), G.S. 14-178 (incest between near relatives), G.S. 14-190.6 (employing or permitting minor to assist in offenses against public morality and decency), G.S. 14-190.16 (first degree sexual exploitation of a minor), G.S. 14-190.17 (second degree sexual exploitation of a minor), G.S. 14-190.17A (third degree sexual exploitation of a minor), G.S. 14-190.18 (promoting prostitution of a minor), G.S. 14-190.19 (participating in prostitution of a minor), or G.S. 14-202.1 (taking indecent liberties with children).
(6)	'Sexually violent predator' means a person who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense and who suffers from a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes the person likely to engage in sexually violent offenses directed at strangers or at a person with whom a relationship has been established or promoted for the primary purpose of victimization.
(7)	'Sheriff' means the sheriff of a county in this State. 
(8)	'Statewide registry' means the central registry compiled by the Division in accordance with G.S. 14-208.14.
"§ 14-208.6A.  Registration requirements for criminal offenders and for criminal offenders determined to be sexually violent predators.
It is the objective of the General Assembly to establish a 10-year registration requirement for persons convicted of certain offenses against minors or sexually violent offenses.  It is the further objective of the General Assembly to establish a more stringent set of registration requirements for a subclass of highly dangerous sex offenders who are determined by a sentencing court with the assistance of a board of experts to be sexually violent predators.
To accomplish this objective, there are established two registration programs:  the Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Program and the Sexually Violent Predator Registration Program.  Any person convicted of an offense against a minor or of a sexually violent offense as defined by this Article shall register as an offender in accordance with Part 2 of this Article.  Any person determined to be a sexually violent predator shall register as such in accordance with Part 3 of this Article.
The information obtained under these programs shall be immediately shared with the appropriate local, State, federal, and out-of-state law enforcement officials and penal institutions.  In addition, the information designated under G.S. 14-208.10(a) as public record shall be readily available to and accessible by the public.  However, the identity of the victim is not public record and shall not be released as a public record.
"§ 14-208.6B.  Registration requirements for juveniles transferred to and convicted in superior court.
A juvenile transferred to superior court pursuant to G.S. 7A‑608 who is convicted of a sexually violent offense or an offense against a minor as defined in G.S. 14-208.6 shall register in accordance with this Article just as an adult convicted of the same offense must register.
"Part 2.  Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Program.
"§ 14-208.7.  Registration.
(a)	A person who is a State resident and who has a reportable conviction shall be required to maintain registration with the sheriff of the county where the person resides. If the person moves to North Carolina from outside this State, the person shall register within 10 days of establishing residence in this State, or whenever the person has been present in the State for 15 days, whichever comes first.  If the person is a current resident of North Carolina, the person shall register:
(1)	Within 10 days of release from a penal institution or arrival in a county to live outside a penal institution; or
(2)	Immediately upon conviction for a reportable offense where an active term of imprisonment was not imposed.
Registration shall be maintained for a period of 10 years following release from a penal institution. If no active term of imprisonment was imposed, registration shall be maintained for a period of 10 years following each conviction for a reportable offense.
(b)	The Division shall provide each sheriff with forms for registering persons as required by this Article. The registration form shall require:
(1)	The person's full name, each alias, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, drivers license number, and home address;
(2)	The type of offense for which the person was convicted, the date of conviction, and the sentence imposed;
(3)	A current photograph; and
(4)	The person's fingerprints.
The sheriff shall photograph the individual at the time of registration and take fingerprints from the individual at the time of registration both of which will be kept as part of the registration form. The registrant will not be required to pay any fees for the photograph or fingerprints taken at the time of registration.
(c)	When a person registers, the sheriff with whom the person registered shall immediately send the registration information to the Division in a manner determined by the Division. The sheriff shall retain the original registration form and other information collected and shall compile the information that is a public record under this Part into a county registry.
"§ 14-208.8.  Prerelease notification.
(a)	At least 10 days, but not earlier than 30 days, before a person who will be subject to registration under this Article is due to be released from a penal institution, an official of the penal institution shall:
(1)	Inform the person of the person's duty to register under this Article and require the person to sign a written statement that the person was so informed or, if the person refuses to sign the statement, certify that the person was so informed;
(2)	Obtain the registration information required under G.S. 14-208.7 (b)(1) and (2), as well as the address where the person expects to reside upon the person's release; and
(3)	Send the Division and the sheriff of the county in which the person expects to reside the information collected in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(b)	If a person who is subject to registration under this Article does not receive an active term of imprisonment, the court pronouncing sentence shall conduct, at the time of sentencing, the notification procedures specified in subsection (a) of this section. 
"§ 14-208.9.  Change of address.
If a person required to register changes address, the person shall provide written notice of the new address not later than the tenth day after the change to the sheriff of the county with whom the person had last registered. Upon receipt of the notice, the sheriff shall immediately forward this information to the Division. If the person moves to another county in this State, the Division shall inform the sheriff of the new county of the person's new residence.
"§ 14-208.9A.  Verification of registration information.
The information in the county registry shall be verified annually for each registrant as follows:
(1)	Every year on the anniversary of a person's initial registration date, the Division shall mail a nonforwardable verification form to the last reported address of the person.
(2)	The person shall return the verification form to the sheriff within 10 days after the receipt of the form.
(3)	The verification form shall be signed by the person and shall indicate whether the person still resides at the address last reported to the sheriff.  If the person has a different address, then the person shall indicate that fact and the new address.
(4)	If the person fails to return the verification form to the sheriff within 10 days after receipt of the form, the person is subject to the penalties provided in G.S. 14-208.11.  If the verification form is returned to the sheriff as undeliverable, the sheriff shall make a reasonable attempt to verify that the person is residing at the registered address.  If the person cannot be found at the registered address and has failed to report a change of address, the person is subject to the penalties provided in G.S. 14-208.11, unless the person reports in person to the sheriff and proves that the person has not changed his or her residential address.
"§ 14-208.10.  Registration information is public record; access to registration information.
(a)	

	

The following information regarding a person required to register under this Article is public record and shall be available for public inspection:  name, sex, address, physical description, picture, conviction date, offense for which registration was required, the sentence imposed as a result of the conviction, and registration status.  The information obtained under G.S. 14-208.22 regarding a person's medical records or documentation of treatment for the person's mental abnormality or personality disorder shall not be a part of the public record.
The sheriff shall release any other relevant information that is necessary to protect the public concerning a specific person, but shall not release the identity of the victim of the offense that required registration under this Article.
(b)	Any person may obtain a copy of an individual's registration form, a part of the county registry, or all of the county registry, by submitting a written request for the information to the sheriff.  However, the identity of the victim of an offense that requires registration under this Article shall not be released.  The sheriff may charge a reasonable fee for duplicating costs and for mailing costs when appropriate.
	
"§ 14-208.11.  Failure to register; falsification of verification notice; failure to return verification form; order for arrest.
(a)	A person required by this Article to register who does any of the following is guilty of a Class F felony:
(1)	Fails to register.
(2)	Fails to notify the last registering sheriff of a change of address.
(3)	Fails to return a verification notice as required under G.S. 14-208.9A.
(4)	Forges or submits under false pretenses the information or verification notices required under this Article.
(a1)	If a person commits a violation of subsection (a) of this section, the probation officer, parole officer, or any other law enforcement officer who is aware of the violation shall immediately arrest the person in accordance with G.S. 15A-401, ors eek an order for the person's arrest in accordance with G.S. 15A‑305.
(b)	Before a person convicted of a violation of this Article is due to be released from a penal institution, an official of the penal institution shall conduct the prerelease notification procedures specified under G.S. 14-208.8(a)(2) and (3). If upon a conviction for a violation of this Article, no active term of imprisonment is imposed, the court pronouncing sentence shall, at the time of sentencing, conduct the notification procedures specified under G.S. 14-208.8(a)(2) and (3).
"

	
"§ 14-208.12A.  Termination of registration requirement.
(a)	The requirement that a person register under this Part automatically terminates 10 years from the date of initial county registration if the person has not been convicted of a subsequent offense requiring registration under this Article.
(b)	If there is a subsequent offense, the county registration records shall be retained until the registration requirement for the subsequent offense is terminated.
"§ 14-208.13.  File with Police Information Network.
(a)	The Division shall include the registration information in the Police Information Network as set forth in G.S. 114-10.1.
(b)	The Division shall maintain the registration information permanently even after the registrant's reporting requirement expires.
"§ 14-208.14.  Statewide registry; Division of Criminal Statistics designated custodian of statewide registry.
(a)	The Division of Criminal Statistics shall compile and keep current a central statewide sex offender registry.  The Division is the State agency designated as the custodian of the statewide registry.  As custodian the Division has the following responsibilities:
(1)	To receive from the sheriff or any other law enforcement agency or penal institution all sex offender registrations, changes of address, and prerelease notifications required under this Article or under federal law.  The Division shall also receive notices of any violation of this Article, including a failure to register or a failure to report a change of address.
(2)	To provide all need-to-know law enforcement agencies (local, State, federal, and those located in other states) immediately upon receipt by the Division of any of the following:  registration information, a prerelease notification, a change of address, or notice of a violation of this Article.
(3)	To coordinate efforts among law enforcement agencies and penal institutions to ensure that the registration information, changes of address, prerelease notifications, and notices of failure to register or to report a change of address are conveyed in an appropriate and timely manner.
(4)	To provide public access to the statewide registry in accordance with this Article.
(b)	The statewide registry shall include the following:
(1)	Registration information obtained by a sheriff or penal institution under this Article or from any other local or State law enforcement agency.
(2)	Registration information received from a state or local law enforcement agency or penal institution in another state.
(3)	Registration information received from a federal law enforcement agency or penal institution.
"§ 14-208.15.  Certain statewide registry information is public record: access to statewide registry.
(a)	The information in the statewide registry that is public record is the same as in G.S. 14-208.10. The Division shall release any other relevant information that is necessary to protect the public concerning a specific person, but shall not release the identity of the victim of the offense that required registration under this Article.
(b)	The Division shall provide free public access to automated data from the statewide registry, including photographs provided by the registering sheriffs, via the Internet.  The public will be able to access the statewide registry to view an individual registration record, a part of the statewide registry, or all of the statewide registry.  The Division may also provide copies of registry information to the public upon written request and may charge a reasonable fee for duplicating costs and mailings costs.
"Part 3.  Sexually Violent Predator Registration Program.
"§ 14-208.20.  Sexually violent predator determination; notice of intent; presentence investigation.
(a)	When a person is charged by indictment or information with the commission of a sexually violent offense, the district attorney shall decide whether to seek classification of the offender as a sexually violent predator if the person is convicted.  If the district attorney intends to seek the classification of a sexually violent predator, the district attorney shall within the time provided for the filing of pretrial motions under G.S. 15A-952 file a notice of the district attorney's intent.  The court may for good cause shown allow late filing of the notice, grant additional time to the parties to prepare for trial, or make other appropriate orders.
(b)	Prior to sentencing a person as a sexually violent predator, the court shall order a presentence investigation in accordance with G.S. 15A-1332(c).  However, the study of the defendant and whether the defendant is a sexually violent predator shall be conducted by a board of experts selected by the Department of Correction.  The board of experts shall be composed of at least two people who are experts in the field of the behavior and treatment of sexual offenders, one of whom is selected from a panel of experts in those fields provided by the North Carolina Medical Society and not employed with the Department of Correction or employed on a full-time basis with any other State agency.
(c)	When the defendant is returned from the presentence commitment, the court shall hold a sentencing hearing in accordance with G.S. 15A-1334.  At the sentencing hearing, the court shall, after taking the presentencing report under advisement, make written findings as to whether the defendant is classified as a sexually violent predator and the basis for the court's findings.
"§ 14-208.21.  Registration procedure for sexually violent predator; application of Part 2 of this Article.
The provisions of Part 2 of this Article apply to a person classified as a sexually violent predator unless provided otherwise by this Part.  The procedure for registering as a sexually violent predator is the same as under Part 2 of this Article.
"§ 14-208.22.  Additional registration information required.
(a)	In addition to the information required by G.S. 14-208.7, the following information shall also be obtained in the same manner as set out in Part 2 of this Article from a person who is classified as a sexually violent predator:
(1)	Identifying factors.
(2)	Offense history.
(3)	Documentation of any treatment received by the person for the person's mental abnormality or personality disorder.
(b)	The Division shall provide each sheriff with forms for registering persons as required by this Article.
(c)	The Department of Correction shall also obtain the additional information set out in subsection (a) of this section and shall include this information in the prerelease notice forwarded to the sheriff or other appropriate law enforcement agency.
"§ 14-208.23.  Length of registration.
The requirement that a person who is classified as a sexually violent predator maintain registration shall terminate only upon a determination, made in accordance with this Part, that the person no longer suffers from  a mental abnormality or personality disorder that would make the person likely to engage in a predatory sexually violent offense.
"§ 14-208.24.  Verification of registration information.
(a)	The information in the county registry shall be verified by the sheriff for each registrant who is classified as a sexually violent predator every 90 days after the person's initial registration date.
(b)	The procedure for verifying the information in the criminal offender registry is the same as under G.S. 14-208.9A, except that verification shall be every 90 days as provided by subsection (a) of this section.
"§ 14-208.25.  Termination of registration requirement.
Ten years from the date of a person's initial registration as a sexually violent predator, a person may petition the superior court to review the person's classification as a sexually violent predator if the person has committed no subsequent reportable convictions.  The decision as to whether to grant the review is in the discretion of the court.  If the court grants the review, the court shall order a presentence commitment study as provided in G.S. 14-208.20(b).  Upon receipt of the study results, the court shall hold a hearing to determine whether the person's classification as a sexually violent predator should be terminated.  The procedure for the hearing shall be the same as under G.S 15A-1334(b) and (c).  The court shall make written findings of fact with regard to the court's decision and the basis for that decision.
"Part 4. Registration of Certain Juveniles Adjudicated
for Committing Certain Offenses.
"§ 14-208.26.  Registration of certain juveniles adjudicated delinquent for committing certain offenses.
(a)	When a juvenile is adjudicated delinquent for committing a violation of G.S. 14-27.2 (first degree rape), G.S. 14-27.3 (second degree rape), G.S. 14-27.4 (first degree sexual offense), G.S. 14-27.5 (second degree sexual offense), or G.S. 14-27.6 (attempted rape or sexual offense), and the juvenile was at least eleven years of age at the time of the commission of the offense, the court shall consider whether the juvenile is a danger to the community.  If the court finds that the juvenile is a danger to the community, then the court shall consider whether the juvenile should be required to register with the county sheriff in accordance with this Part.  The determination as to whether the juvenile is a danger to the community and whether the juvenile shall be ordered to register shall be made by the presiding judge at the dispositional hearing.  If the judge rules that the juvenile is a danger to the community and that the juvenile shall register, then an order shall be entered requiring the juvenile to register.  The court's findings regarding whether the juvenile is a danger to the community and whether the juvenile shall register shall be entered into the court record.  No juvenile may be required to register under this Part unless the court first finds that the juvenile is a danger to the community.
A juvenile ordered to register under this Part shall register and maintain that registration as provided by this Part.
(b)	If the court finds that the juvenile is a danger to the community and must register, the presiding judge shall conduct the notification procedures specified in G.S. 14-208.8.  The chief court counselor of that district shall file the registration information for the juvenile with the appropriate sheriff.
"§ 14-208.27.  Change of address.
If a juvenile who is adjudicated delinquent and required to register changes address, the court counselor for the juvenile shall provide written notice of the new address not later than the tenth day after the change to the sheriff of the county with whom the juvenile had last registered.  Upon receipt of the notice, the sheriff shall immediately forward this information to the Division.  If the juvenile moves to another county in this State, the Division shall inform the sheriff of the new county of the juvenile's new residence.
"§ 14-208.28.  Verification of registration information.
The information provided to the sheriff shall be verified annually for each juvenile registrant as follows:
(1)	Every year on the anniversary of a juvenile's initial registration date, the sheriff shall mail a verification form to the court counselor assigned to the juvenile.
(2)	The court counselor for the juvenile shall return the verification form to the sheriff within 10 days after the receipt of the form.
(3)	The verification form shall be signed by the court counselor and the juvenile and shall indicate whether the juvenile still resides at the address last reported to the sheriff.  If the juvenile has a different address, then that fact and the new address shall be indicated on the form.
"§ 14-208.29.  Registration information is not public record; access to registration information available only to law enforcement agencies.
(a)	Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the information regarding a juvenile required to register under this Part is not public record and is not available for public inspection.
(b)	The registration information of a juvenile adjudicated delinquent and required to register under this Part shall be maintained separately by the sheriff and released only to law enforcement agencies.  Under no circumstances shall the registration of a juvenile adjudicated delinquent be included in the county or statewide registries, or be made available to the public via internet.
"§ 14-208.30.  Termination of registration requirement.
The requirement that a juvenile adjudicated delinquent register under this Part automatically terminates on the juvenile's eighteenth birthday or when the jurisdiction of the juvenile court with regard to the juvenile ends, whichever occurs first.
"§ 14-308.31.  File with Police Information Network.
(a)	The Division shall include the registration information in the Police Information Network as set forth in G.S. 114-10.1.
(b)	The Division shall maintain the registration information permanently even after the registrant's reporting requirement expires; however, the records shall remain confidential in accordance with G.S. 7A-675.
"§ 14-208.32.  Application of Part.
This Part does not apply to a juvenile who is tried and convicted as an adult for committing or attempting to commit a sexually violent offense or an offense against a minor.  A juvenile who is convicted of one of those offenses as an adult is subject to the registration requirements of Part 2 and Part 3 of this Article."
Section 1A.  G.S. 7A-647 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A-647.  Dispositional alternatives for delinquent, undisciplined, abused, neglected, or dependent juvenile.
The following alternatives for disposition shall be available to any judge exercising jurisdiction, and the judge may combine any of the applicable alternatives when he finds such disposition to be in the best interest of the juvenile:
(1)	The judge may dismiss the case, or continue the case in order to allow the juvenile, parent, or others to take appropriate action.
(2)	In the case of any juvenile who needs more adequate care or supervision or who needs placement, the judge may:
a.	Require that he be supervised in his own home by the Department of Social Services in his county, a court counselor or other personnel as may be available to the court, subject to conditions applicable to the parent or the juvenile as the judge may specify; or
b.	Place him in the custody of a parent, relative, private agency offering placement services, or some other suitable person; or
c.	Place him in the custody of the Department of Social Services in the county of his residence, or in the case of a juvenile who has legal residence outside the State, in the physical custody of the Department of Social Services in the county where he is found so that agency may return the juvenile to the responsible authorities in his home state. The Director may, unless otherwise ordered by the judge, arrange for, provide, or consent to, needed routine or emergency medical or surgical care or treatment. In the case where the parent is unknown, unavailable or unable to act on behalf of their child or children, the Director may, unless otherwise ordered by the judge, arrange for, provide or consent to any psychiatric, psychological, educational, or other remedial evaluations or treatment for the juvenile placed by a judge or his designee in the custody or physical custody of a county Department of Social Services under the authority of this or any other Chapter of the General Statutes. Prior to exercising this authority, the Director shall make reasonable efforts to obtain consent from a parent or guardian of the affected child. If the Director can not obtain such consent, the Director shall promptly notify the parent or guardian that care or treatment has been provided and shall give him frequent status reports on the circumstances of the child. Upon request of a parent or guardian of the affected child, the results or records of the aforementioned evaluations, findings or treatment shall be made available to such parent or guardian by the Director unless prohibited by G.S. 122C-53(d).
(3)	In any case, the judge may order that the juvenile be examined by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other qualified expert as may be needed for the judge to determine the needs of the juvenile.
a.	Upon completion of the examination, the judge shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the juvenile is in need of medical, surgical, psychiatric, psychological, or other treatment and who should pay the cost of the treatment. The county manager, or such person who shall be designated by the chairman of the county commissioners, of the juvenile's residence shall be notified of the hearing, and allowed to be heard. If the judge finds the juvenile to be in need of medical, surgical, psychiatric, psychological or other treatment, the judge shall permit the parent or other responsible persons to arrange for treatment. If the parent declines or is unable to make necessary arrangements, the judge may order the needed treatment, surgery or care, and the judge may order the parent to pay the cost of the care pursuant to G.S. 7A-650. If the judge finds the parent is unable to pay the cost of treatment, the judge shall order the county to arrange for treatment of the juvenile and to pay for the cost of the treatment. The county department of social services shall recommend the facility that will provide the juvenile with treatment.
b.	If the judge believes, or if there is evidence presented to the effect that the juvenile is mentally ill or is developmentally disabled, the judge shall refer the juvenile to the area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services director for appropriate action. A juvenile shall not be committed directly to a State hospital or mental retardation center; and orders purporting to commit a juvenile directly to a State hospital or mental retardation center except for an examination to determine capacity to proceed shall be void and of no effect. The area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse director shall be responsible for arranging an interdisciplinary evaluation of the juvenile and mobilizing resources to meet the juvenile's needs. If institutionalization is determined to be the best service for the juvenile, admission shall be with the voluntary consent of the parent or guardian. If the parent, guardian, or custodian refuses to consent to a mental hospital or retardation center admission after such institutionalization is recommended by the area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse director, the signature and consent of the judge may be substituted for that purpose. In all cases in which a regional mental hospital refuses admission to a juvenile referred for admission by a judge and an area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse director or discharges a juvenile previously admitted on court referral prior to completion of his treatment, the hospital shall submit to the judge a written report setting out the reasons for denial of admission or discharge and setting out the juvenile's diagnosis, indications of mental illness, indications of need for treatment, and a statement as to the location of any facility known to have a treatment program for the juvenile in question.
(4)	In any case in which a juvenile, who was at least eleven years of age at the time of the offense, is adjudicated delinquent for committing a violation of G.S. 14-27.2 (first degree rape), G.S. 14-27.3 (second degree rape), 14-27.4 (first degree sexual offense), 14-27.5 (second degree sexual offense), or G.S. 14-27.6 (attempted rape or sexual offense), the judge, upon a finding that the juvenile is a danger to the community, may order that the juvenile register in accordance with Part 4 of Article 27A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes."
Section 1B.  The Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety shall appoint a committee to study whether a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for committing a sexually violent offense or an offense against a minor as those terms are defined by G.S. 14-208.6 should be required to register under Article 27A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes.   In its study the committee shall consider whether if a juvenile is required to register what the procedures, requirements, termination of requirements, accessibility of registration records by law enforcement officials and by the general public, should be and shall also consider any other relevant issues.
The committee shall consist of 12 members appointed by the Secretary as follows:
(1)	Six members from a list of nominations provided by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Six members from a list of nominations provided by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
The study shall be conducted within the available funds of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety.
The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the 1997 General Assembly, 1998 Regular Session, upon its convening, or to the 1999 General Assembly, upon its convening.
Section 2.  The Department of Justice shall use funds available within its current operations budget for the 1997-98 fiscal year to design and implement a program for electronic access to the statewide sex offender registry.  The program shall provide on-line access to the statewide sex offender registry through the Internet, allowing members of the public to locate and access the public record of sex offender registration information.  The Division of Criminal Statistics shall be responsible for the on-line maintenance of current information regarding each registered sex offender.
Section 3.  Sections 1, 1B, 2, and 3 of this act become effective April 1, 1998, except that Part 4 of Article 27A of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes becomes effective October 1, 1999.  Section 1A of this act becomes effective October 1, 1999.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 28th day of August, 1997.
s/	Marc Basnight
President Pro Tempore of the Senate

s/	Harold J. Brubaker
Speaker of the House of Representatives

s/	James B. Hunt, Jr.
Governor

Approved 10:35 a.m. this 17th day of September, 1997