SB 197 Summary

• Requires members of Alaska's organized militia convicted of sex offenses or child kidnapping to register as sex offenders or child kidnappers, applying military code offenses under 10 U.S.C. 934 (Uniform Code of Military Justice) to state registry requirements.

• Extends Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections to Alaska militia members on active duty, and allows militia members to terminate certain service contracts (internet, gym, satellite radio, television) with 90 days' notice when relocating for military service lasting at least 90 days.

• Establishes comprehensive military justice statutes for organized militia members including offenses for sexual assault, prohibited sexual activities with recruits, assault, retaliation, false documents, misprision, and computer crimes, with court-martial punishments up to 10 years confinement.

• Allows court-martial judges to reduce dishonorable discharge sentences to bad conduct discharge if accused provides substantial assistance in prosecuting others, and requires courts to inform convicted sex offenders of registration requirements and duration.

• Most provisions take effect January 1, 2019, contingent on federal notification that the Military Justice Act of 2016 amendments to the Uniform Code of Military Justice become effective on or before that date.