By Matthew Holloway |
New Legislation requiring continuous electronic monitoring for certain registered sex offenders who lack a fixed residence advanced out of a key legislative committee last week.
House Bill 2413, sponsored by Rep. Quang Nguyen (R-LD1), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was approved by that Committee and is bound for the House Rules Committee before heading to the House floor for consideration.
The bill would amend existing law to require courts to place any registered sex offender without a permanent address on a global positioning system (GPS) or other electronic monitoring until a residence is established.
As explained in a news release, the bill “closes a serious gap in current law by ensuring offenders who cannot be reliably located are continuously monitored, strengthening accountability and protecting Arizona communities.”
Under current statute, sex offenders who are homeless may register as transients and periodically update their status, a gap Nguyen’s bill aims to close. HB 2413 also directs the Arizona Department of Public Safety to oversee compliance with the monitoring requirement.
“Public safety in Arizona is not negotiable,” Rep. Nguyen said. “If a registered sex offender cannot tell authorities where they live, the public should not be left guessing where they are. This bill puts accountability first and gives law enforcement the tools they need to track offenders who would otherwise be difficult to locate.”
House GOP leaders stated, “House Republicans have made clear that protecting communities requires firm enforcement, clear standards, and consequences that are enforced.”
HB 2413 advances the House Republican Majority Plan’s public safety pillar, which emphasizes enforcing the rule of law and prioritizing the safety of families and neighborhoods.
Under the bill language summarized by legislative tracking services, the monitoring requirement would be in addition to any supervision already in place for offenders on probation, parole, or other court orders.
The committee vote was 5–4 along party lines, with the bill clearing the Judicial Committee and moving to the Rules Committee, before going to the full House for a potential floor vote.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
