Signed by Governor Lincoln Chafee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits an employer within a "child safe zone" from hiring a sex offender.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an employer within a “child safe zone” from hiring a registered sex offender (Sec. 1).

• Establishes “child safe zones” as certain areas where minors may be present including, but not limited to, the following areas (Sec.1):
• Any public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school, child care facility, or public library;
• Any children’s arcade, amusement center, movie theatre, or facility with programs or services intended primarily for those under the age of 18; and
• Any private, municipal, county, or state fair or carnival.

• Requires any individual who made the final hiring decision and knowingly hired a registered sex offender be subject to a fine of $1,000 for each day the offender is employed (Sec. 1).

• Requires an individual who knowingly misrepresents or omits his or her sex offender registration status to obtain employment in a child safe zone be guilty of a felony with the following stipulations upon conviction (Sec. 1):
• The individual be subject to no more than 5 years imprisonment; or
• The individual be subject to a fine of no more than $5,000.

• Prohibits any civil claims from being filed against any employer within a child safe zone who declines to hire or continue an offender’s employment (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text