(a)

1. (1) Arkansas law at Arkansas Code § 12-12-921 establishes a nine-member Sex Offender Assessment Committee.

2. (2) Subject to confirmation by the Senate, the Governor appoints the following six (6) members:

   1. (A) A defense attorney;
   2. (B) A prosecuting attorney;
   3. (C) A licensed mental health professional;
   4. (D) A victim’s rights advocate;
   5. (E) A law enforcement officer; and
   6. (F) A member with expertise in juvenile justice or treatment.

(b) Also serving on the committee are:

1. (1) The Director of the Division of Correction, or the director’s designee;
2. (2) The Director of the Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC), or the director’s designee; and
3. (3) The Director of the Division of Community Correction, or the director’s designee.

(c)

1. (1) The committee is charged with promulgating guidelines and procedures for disclosure of relevant and necessary information to the public when the release of the information is necessary for the public’s protection.
2. (2) The committee must also establish qualifications for examiners and qualify examiners to prepare reports in accordance with the assessment protocol.

(d)

1. (1) The requirement to register as a sex offender is determined by the courts and/or local law enforcement.
2. (2) The committee does not participate in registration requirement determinations.

(e)

1. (1) Adult assessments are completed by the Sex Offender Community Notification Assessment Program (SOCNA).
2. (2) SOCNA is a unit within the Division of Correction.

3. (3) Correspondence to the committee and to the staff for SOCNA is to be directed to:

   1. (A) Post Office Box 6209, Pine Bluff, AR, 71611-6209, faxed to (870) 850-8446; or
   2. (B) E-mailed to adc.socna@arkansas.gov.
4. (4) The office may be reached by phone at (870) 850-8429.