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Bill would bar registered offenders from seeking name changes while registration required; supporters ask for clarity and public notice
Summary
Representative Phil Ollerking’s House Bill 882 would prohibit registered sex offenders from petitioning a court to change their name while they remain on the registry; witnesses supported the concept and asked for clarifying amendment language and public notice.
Representative Phil Ollerking introduced House Bill 882 in committee, saying the bill would prevent an offender required to register from filing a petition to change his or her name while the offender remains required to register. He said intentional violation of the provision would be a class E felony.
Supporters who testified included Jeff Smith of the Missouri Alliance for Family Restoration, who explained the 2018 statutory context: the 2018 law allowed some lower-tier offenders to petition for removal from the registry after long compliance periods; HB 882 would prohibit name changes while an offender remains required to register. Jeff Smith said the measure is intended to prevent offenders from changing names to evade public disclosure.
Arnie C., identified in the record as State Public Advocate, testified in support of the bill’s public-disclosure goals but asked the committee to keep the hearing record open after an amendment was filed so the public could review the new language and provide comment. Representative Dolan asked whether the bill could go further (for example, prohibiting name changes while inmates are still incarcerated); Ollerking said he was open to further discussion.
The committee received additional testimony in favor and concluded the public hearing on HB 882 in the transcript portion provided.
