The Government is delivering on its commitment to tighten reporting requirements for child sex offenders with the passing of the first reading of the Child Protection Amendment Bill.

“The Bill improves the effectiveness of the Child Sex Offender Register and will help registry staff assess and manage the risks presented by child sex offenders living in the community,” Police Minister Mark Mitchell said.

It passed the first reading on Thursday, October 24, and aims to improve the clarity and consistency of the Act to support registry staff and assist offenders in complying with the requirements placed on them, Mitchell said.

“Offenders will be required to provide more information about their location and activities, as well as the likelihood of their contact with children.”

The Child Protection Act 2016 established a register to reduce sexual reoffending against child victims and the risk posed by child sex offenders.

“This bill will provide further support to police and other agencies to keep our children and communities safer and is another example of this Government’s focus on law and order,” Mitchell said.

Amendments will improve the effectiveness of the Child Sex Offender Register.

Require offenders to report if a child is going to be living at the same address as the 48 hours before this occurs (rather than 72 hours after)

Require offenders to report if they are attending education or training courses and

Clarify that voluntary work must be reported

Clarify how “locality” is defined for offenders with no permanent address in New Zealand

Enable notices to be served to offenders by electronic means (as well as by post)

Require offenders travelling out of the country to report this information at least seven days in advance (rather than the current 48 hours in advance)

Require offenders to report their return to New Zealand no more than 72 hours after re-entering, electronically or by telephone (rather than the current 10-day in-person requirement)

Clarify that where there is a successful appeal against registration, that information contained on the register that relates to the offender must be removed

Remove the requirement for an application for review to be made within 28 days of registration.

- SunLive