Sex offenders: social networking prohibition.

Existing law requires persons who have been convicted of specified crimes, and other persons as required by a court, to register as a sex offender. Existing law sets forth the procedure for doing so and provides that a violation of the sex offender registration law is a crime, punishable as specified. This bill would, in addition, make it a misdemeanor for any person who is on probation or parole for the conviction of a crime that requires him or her to register as a sex offender to use any Internet social networking Web site, as defined, during that period of probation or parole if the victim of the offense was under 18 years of age at the time of the offense or the Internet was used in the commission of the crime. The bill would authorize the person to seek an exception to the prohibition for legitimate professional purposes by applying through the appropriate parole or probation supervising agency. Approval would be valid for one year, unless revoked. The bill would authorize an annual application for renewal. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.