House Judiciary holds public hearing on SB 1122A to clarify offender notification timing and reclassification authority

The House Committee on Judiciary held a public hearing April 28 on Senate Bill 1122A, which would amend ORS 163A.100 to let the State Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision adopt a risk-assessment methodology that considers the risk an individual presented at the time of release, sentencing, or discharge and to authorize reassessments based on certain in-custody rule violations. Chair Croft opened the hearing and heard testimony from board officials, prosecutors and law enforcement retirees.

The measure would clarify that initial classification of ‘‘registrants’’ is based on the risk the person presented at release, sentencing or discharge and would authorize the board, a psychiatric security review board or supervisory authorities to reassess a person’s notification level if the person commits or is charged with certain rule violations while in custody or is arrested or charged with a qualifying crime. The bill also contains an emergency clause making it effective upon passage; sponsors noted it would apply to individuals classified on or after 07/10/2024 and that the Senate approved the bill by a 24-4 vote.

Board Chair John Bailey and Executive Director Dylan Arthur described the board’s longstanding practice and the statute the board has followed. ‘‘The board classifies registered…