HB3378 Summary

• Reduces residency restrictions for child sex offenders from 500 feet to 250 feet from schools, playgrounds, and child-focused facilities, with exceptions for offenders whose registered address preceded the facility's opening.

• Changes penalties for registration violations under the Arsonist Registration Act, Sex Offender Registration Act, and Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act from felonies to misdemeanors (Class C or B depending on offense).

• Makes registration fee waivers mandatory for indigent persons (rather than discretionary) and defines indigency based on receipt of public benefits, homeless shelter affidavit, or income at 200% of poverty guidelines.

• Reduces the registration period under the Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act from 10 years to 5 years for most offenders.

• Changes reporting requirements for homeless sex offenders from weekly to every 90 days or yearly, and modifies various registration and notification procedures to become effective immediately and apply retroactively.