Electronic monitoring: removing or disabling GPS device: offense.

Existing law, as amended by Proposition 83, adopted at the November 7, 2006, statewide general election, requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to monitor sex offenders using a global positioning system (GPS) . With regard to all other offenders, existing law permits the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to use electronic or GPS monitoring to electronically monitor the whereabouts of individuals on parole. Under existing law, a parolee who fails to comply with the rules or conditions for the use of electronic monitoring as a supervision tool may be found guilty of violating the terms of his or her parole. This bill would prohibit a person who is required to register as a sex offender and who is subject to parole supervision from removing, as specified, an electronic, GPS, or other monitoring device affixed as a condition of parole. Upon a violation of the provision, the bill would require the parole authority to revoke the person's parole and impose a mandatory, 180-day period of incarceration. Proposition 83 provides that any amendment of its provisions by the Legislature requires a 23 vote of the membership of each house unless the amendments expand the scope of its application or increase the punishments or penalties provided, in which case the Legislature may amend its provisions by a statute passed by a majority vote of each house. Because this bill increases the punishments or penalties provided in Proposition 83, this bill would require a majority vote. 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.