Department of Public Safety officials have been urging the Legislature to pass the measure before July 29.
House Bill 17-111, or the Sex Offenders Registration Act, repeals the current local law and is compliant with the U.S. Sex Offenders Registration and Notification Act.
It was introduced in Sept. 2010 by Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, and Speaker Eliceo D. Cabrera, R-Saipan.
DPS sexual offender registry coordinator PO2 Jason Tarkong and chief parole officer Joseph T. Guerrero said the CNMI must meet the U.S. Justice Department’s minimum standards in order to continue receiving the Justice Assistance Grant, which amounts to $370,000 every year.
DPS has already submitted an application for the grant but the CNMI has until today, July 29, to have a sex offender registration law in compliance with the federal statute.
The House passed H.B. 17-111 on July 14, and with the Senate’s passage of the measure yesterday, it heads to acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ desk for his signature.
