SENATOR BENJAMIN DOWNING
BOSTON – State Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D- Pittsfield) announced yesterday the Massachusetts Senate unanimously adopted an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2014 Senate Budget that strengthens procedures for classifying convicted sex offenders and ensures that the Sex Offender Registry Board has the information it needs to protect our children and communities.
The amendment allows the Sex Offender Registry Board to reclassify a sex offender without a new conviction and authorizes the police and Sex Offender Registry Board to release information on Level 1 sex offenders to the Department of Early Education and Care. In addition, certain law enforcement officials will be allowed to provide information to the Sex Offender Registry Board that is relevant to the assessment of a sex offender’s risk to re-offend or degree of dangerousness.
Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders will be required to register within two days of being released from custody. The law currently requires Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders to annually register in person but does not specify when they must first appear after being released from custody.
The amendment also establishes information sharing procedures for the determination or reevaluation of a sex offender’s designation within the Sex Offender Registry Board and other state agencies and establishes a commission to develop risk assessment protocols for sexual offenders.
The Senate Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2014 budget recommendations also addressed the need to reform the state’s sex offender registry laws by including measures that Level 2 sex offender information be made available online and requiring the Department of Early Education and Care to cross-reference sex offender registry information with the address of a childcare program when licensing or approving childcare providers.
After receiving approval from the Senate, the budget will move to a conference committee with the House of Representatives. The final budget will go to Governor Deval Patrick for his consideration. The new fiscal year begins July 1, 2013.
Downing also announced that the Massachusetts Senate, with a roll call vote of 39-0, unanimously approved a $300 million bond bill to support municipal road and bridge projects in Fiscal Year 2014. This action took place during this morning’s formal legislative session.
An Act Financing Improvements to the Commonwealth’s Transportation System authorizes the Commonwealth to borrow $300 million to be distributed to cities and towns for local transportation improvement projects, a 50 percent improvement from the $200 million authorized for the Chapter 90 program in Fiscal Year 2013.
Additionally, the bill requires all construction contracts funded by the act to include price adjustment clauses for gasoline, diesel, asphalt, concrete and steel. A price adjustment clause requires an awarding authority to set a base price, tied to an index. Thereafter, the contract price is adjusted on a monthly basis, but only if the cost increases or decreases by more than 5 percent.
The Chapter 90 bond bill is now on the Governor’s desk for final approval. The Governor has ten days to review and act on the legislation.
