 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
school boards; sex offender registry
Purpose
Determines that a person subject to registration as a sex offender in Arizona or any other jurisdiction is ineligible for election or appointment to a school district governing board (governing board).
Background
A governing board prescribes and enforces policies and procedures to govern school districts. To be eligible for election to a governing board, a person must be registered to vote in Arizona and be a resident of the school district for at least one year preceding the election. A county school superintendent must appoint a member to fill a governing board vacancy or, if deemed the best interest of the community, may call a special election to fill the vacancy. The term of office for an elected governing board member is four years. The term of office for a governing board member who is appointed or elected through a special election is until the next regular election for governing board members (A.R.S §§ 15-302; 15-341; 15-421; and 15-424).
When a person who must register on the sex offender registry is released from confinement, the agency that had custody of the person must enter the person's identifying information into the notification database within 72 hours of the person's release. Community notification requirements for level two and three sex-offenders require the notification to be disseminated in a nonelectronic format to the surrounding neighborhood, area schools, appropriate community groups and prospective employers as well as be given to the local electronic and print media. Local law enforcement agencies responsible for notification maintain information on level one offenders and may disseminate it to other law enforcement agencies or parties who live with the offender (A.R.S § 13-3825).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
2. Precludes a county school superintendent from appointing a person who is subject to registration as a sex offender in Arizona or any other jurisdiction to a governing board.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 2, 2024
MH/LB/slp