Sex offender registration: unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

Senator Rubio's proposal to amend California's Sex Offender Registration Act would require certain individuals convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with minors to register as sex offenders. Under the bill, offenders must register for 10 years as tier one offenders if they engage in unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor more than three years younger, or if the offender is 21 or older and the minor is under 16 years old. These requirements would apply to offenses committed after January 1, 2026.

The legislation maintains existing exemptions for offenders who are not more than 10 years older than the minor when that offense is their only registerable conviction. Courts retain discretion to require registration in cases that would otherwise be exempt. The bill preserves the act's three-tier registration system, with mandatory periods of 10 years, 20 years, or life based on offense severity and criminal history.

Local agencies and school districts would bear implementation costs without state reimbursement, as the bill creates new registration requirements that modify existing criminal definitions. The Department of Justice may temporarily place registrants in a tier-to-be-determined category when appropriate classification cannot be immediately determined, with final tier placement required within 24 months.