REGULATIONS tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday contain a provision for the public to be notified through the Royal Bahamas Police Force of the release of a sexual offender from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The Registration of Sex Offenders Regulations were tabled by National Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday, however they were not debated or passed and it is unclear when they will come into force.

According to the regulations, the commissioner of corrections has to notify the minister of a release six months before the intended release date of the offender.

However, before determining to give any notification in relation to a particular sex offender, the minister of national security has to, after consultation with the commissioner of police, satisfy himself that “a sex offender presents a risk of significant harm to the health or safety of the public and a disclosure should be made to the public or a part thereof to heighten their awareness of the presence of the sexual offender in or near the area,” the regulations state.

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