Sex offenders: risk assessment research.

Existing law establishes a State-Authorized Risk Assessment Tool for Sex Offenders (SARATSO) and requires every registered sex offender to be assessed with the SARATSO. Existing law establishes a SARATSO Review Committee, comprised of a representative of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, a representative of the State Department of State Hospitals, and a representative of the Attorney General's office, to ensure that the SARATSO reflects the most reliable, objective, and well-established protocols for predicting sex offender risk of recidivism. Existing law also establishes a Sex Offender Management Board to address any issues, concerns, and problems related to the community management of sex offenders. This bill would require the SARATSO Review Committee to sponsor research specific to California sex offenders relating to recidivism and desistance from offending, as specified, and require the committee to submit an annual report to the Legislature on its ongoing research and the final results of its research studies. The bill would also add 2 additional members with experience with juveniles, as specified, to the Sex Offender Management Board.