Hearings were held earlier this month on two bills dealing with the issue, but both appeared destined to become part of a larger study by a subcommittee. That study could be influenced by federal regulations that are expected to redefine which offenses lead to a registry listing.

Maine lawmakers are troubled, however, that federal guidelines may not be available for at least a year, and are pushing to enact at least minor changes to the registry, which now includes 2,700 names.

Critics of Maine's registry contend that the registry is overly broad when it comes to the types of offenses included. For example, the registry lists people who engaged in consensual sex when both the offender and the partner were minors. One of last year's murder victims was placed on the registry for having consensual sex with a 15 year-old when he was 17.

Both of the bills proposed earlier this month address that concern. The first proposes to delete from the sex offender registry website offenders who pose little to no risk of reoffending. In addition, the bill states that the website must identify moderate- and high-risk offenders, while removing low-risk offenders from the site. The second bill proposes to remove from the registry people convicted of sex offenses that involve consensual acts committed between persons who are close in age.

While many Maine lawmakers agree that changes to the registry are necessary, others aren't so certain. Joining in their uncertainty are members of Maine communities who insist that if someone has been convicted of a sex offense they should remain registered regardless of their risk level.

Work on both proposed bills should proceed this spring.

(Source: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com)