NH Senate approves new system for classifying sex offenders

CONCORD, N.H.—New Hampshire's Senate has voted in favor of a new system for classifying sex offenders and new requirements for sex offenders registering after serving their sentences.

The bill, approved Thursday, creates a three-tier system for classifying sexual offenders and offenders against children. It recognizes that differences between sex crimes can vary from more minor offenses like indecent exposure to much more serious offenses like child molestation and forcible rape.

For the most serious offenses, lifetime registration on the public list will be required while for lesser offenses the period can be shorter and the ability to petition off the list will be available in certain circumstances.