PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 754

registers or sends a change in registration under this section] THE DEPARTMENT shall send a
copy of the registration statement or change in registration to the police department of the
municipal corporation.

(L) (1) A SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR WHO HAS BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THIS SECTION FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS MAY FILE A PETITION REQUESTING A COURT TO
RULE THAT THE PERSON IS NO LONGER A SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR

(2) A PETITION UNDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE FILED IN THE CIRCUIT
COURT FOR THE COUNTY WHERE THE SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR WAS CONVICTED
OR HAS A RESIDENCE.

(3) ON THE FILING OF A PETITION UNDER THIS SUBSECTION THE COURT
SHALL CONSIDER ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE COURT CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE.

(4) WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE FILING OF A PETITION UNDER THIS
SUBSECTION THE COURT SHALL:

(I) DISMISS THE PETITION; OR

(II) ISSUE AN ORDER STATING THAT THE REGISTRANT IS NO LONGER
CONSIDERED A SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR

(5) IF A PETITION IS DISMISSED UNDER PARAGRAPH (4)(I) OF THIS
SUBSECTION THE SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR MAY FILE A SUBSEQUENT PETITION
SUBJECT TO THE SAME PROCEDURES AFTER EACH 5-YEAR PERIOD AFTER THE
DISMISSAL

[(l)] (M) A [child sexual offender] REGISTRANT who knowingly fails to register as
required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to
imprisonment in the penitentiary for not more than 3 years or a fine of not more than $5,000
or both.

(N) THE SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES SHALL
ADOPT REGULATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Department of Public
Safety and Correctional Services shall conduct public education and awareness programs to
inform the public of its ability to obtain information regarding a registrant under this Act.

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, except as provided in Sections
5 and 6 of this Act, this Act shall be construed only prospectively to apply to offenses that are
committed on or after July 1, 1997, and may not be applied or interpreted to have any effect on
or application to any individual who commits an offense before July 1, 1997.

SECTIONS. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED. That a child sexual offender who is
subject to the requirements of Chapter 142 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1995 and
who committed the sexual offense before the effective date of this Act is subject to the
requirements of this Act.

SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED. That, provided that the second or
subsequent sexually violent offense occurred on or after the effective date of this Act, for

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