(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) "Appropriate state official" means:

(A) With respect to an offender who is sentenced to probation without any sentence of incarceration in the state prison system or who is sentenced pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 8 of this title, relating to first offenders, the Division of Probation of the Department of Corrections;

(B) With respect to an offender who is sentenced to a period of incarceration in a prison under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and who is subsequently released from prison or placed on probation, the commissioner of corrections or his or her designee; and

(C) With respect to an offender who is placed on parole, the chairperson of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles or his or her designee.

(2) "Board" means the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board.

(3) "Conviction" includes a final judgment of conviction entered upon a verdict or finding of guilty of a crime, a plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere. Unless otherwise required by federal law, a defendant who is discharged without adjudication of guilt and who is not considered to have a criminal conviction pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 8 of this title, relating to first offenders, shall not be subject to the registration requirements of this Code section.

(4)(A) "Criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" with respect to convictions occurring on or before June 30, 2001, means any criminal offense under Title 16 or any offense under federal law or the laws of another state or territory of the United States which consists of:

(i) Kidnapping of a minor, except by a parent;

(ii) False imprisonment of a minor, except by a parent;

(iii) Criminal sexual conduct toward a minor;

(iv) Solicitation of a minor to engage in sexual conduct;

(v) Use of a minor in a sexual performance;

(vi) Solicitation of a minor to practice prostitution; or

(vii) Any conviction resulting from an underlying sexual offense against a victim who is a minor.

(B) "Criminal offense against a victim who is a minor" with respect to convictions occurring after June 30, 2001, means any criminal offense under Title 16 or any offense under federal law or the laws of another state or territory of the United States which consists of: (i) Kidnapping of a minor, except by a parent;

(ii) False imprisonment of a minor, except by a parent;

(iii) Criminal sexual conduct toward a minor;

(iv) Solicitation of a minor to engage in sexual conduct;

(v) Use of a minor in a sexual performance;

(vi) Solicitation of a minor to practice prostitution;

(vii) Use of a minor to engage in any sexually explicit conduct to produce any visual medium depicting such conduct;

(viii) Creating, publishing, selling, or distributing any material depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct;

(ix) Transmitting, making, selling, buying, or disseminating by means of a computer any descriptive or identifying information regarding a child for the purpose of offering or soliciting sexual conduct of or with a child or the visual depicting of such conduct; or

(x) Any conduct which, by its nature, is a sexual offense against a minor.

(C) For purposes of this paragraph, conduct which is criminal only because of the age of the victim shall not be considered a criminal offense if the perpetrator is 18 years of age or younger.

(5) "Mental abnormality" means a congenital or acquired condition of a person that affects the emotional or volitional capacity of the person in a manner that predisposes that person to the commission of criminal sexual acts to a degree that makes the person a menace to the health and safety of other persons.

(6) "Predatory" means an act directed at a stranger or a person with whom a relationship has been established or promoted for the primary purpose of victimization.

(7) "Sexually violent offense" means a conviction for violation of Code Section 16-6-1, relating to rape; Code Section 16-6-2, relating to aggravated sodomy; Code Section 16-6-4, relating to aggravated child molestation; or Code Section 16-6-22.2, relating to aggravated sexual battery; or an offense that has as its element engaging in physical contact with another person with intent to commit such an offense; or a conviction in a federal court, military court, tribal court, or court of another state or territory for any offense which under the laws of this state would be classified as a violation of a Code section listed in this paragraph.

(8) "Sexually violent predator" means a person who has been convicted on or after July 1, 1996, of a sexually violent offense and who suffers from a mental abnormality or personality disorder or attitude that places the person at risk of perpetrating any future predatory sexually violent offenses. (b)(1)(A)(i) On and after July 1, 1996, a person who is convicted of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor or who is convicted of a sexually violent offense shall register within ten days after his or her release from prison or placement on parole, supervised release, or probation his or her name and current address; place of employment, if any; the crime of which convicted; school address, if any; and the date released from prison or placed on parole, supervised release, or probation with the appropriate sheriff's office as specified in subsection (c) of this Code section in the county where such person will reside for the time period specified in subsection (g) of this Code section.

(ii) A person who has previously been convicted of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor or who has previously been convicted of a sexually violent offense and who is released from prison or placed on parole, supervised release, or probation on or after July 1, 1996, shall register within ten days after such release or placement his or her name and current address; place of employment, if any; the crime of which convicted; school address, if any; and the date released from prison or placed on parole, supervised release, or probation with the appropriate sheriff's office as specified in subsection (c) of this Code section in the county where such person will reside for the time period specified in subsection (g) of this Code section.

(iii) On and after July 1, 1999, any resident of Georgia who is convicted under the laws of another state or territory, under the laws of the United States, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or in a tribal court of a sexually violent offense or a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor shall register within ten days after his or her release from prison or placement on parole, supervised release, or probation. The information such an offender is required to register shall include his or her name and current address; place of employment, if any; the crime of which convicted; school address, if any; and the date released from prison or placed on parole, supervised release, or probation. Such an offender shall register with the appropriate sheriff's office as specified in subsection (c) of this Code section in the county where such person will reside for the time period specified in subsection (g) of this Code section.

(B) A person who is a sexually violent predator shall register within ten days after his or her release from prison or placement on parole, supervised release, or probation the information required under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph with the appropriate sheriff's office as specified in subsection (c) of this Code section in the county where such person will reside. The sheriff may prepare a list of such sexual predators providing each person's name, address, and photograph. The sheriff shall update the list periodically and may post such list in a prominent and visible location in the sheriff's office and each city hall or primary administration building of every incorporated municipality within the county. Such list shall also be made available upon request to any public or private elementary, secondary, or postsecondary school or educational institution located in the county. (2)(A) Upon a determination that an offender is guilty of a sexually violent offense, the court may request a report from the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board as to the likelihood that the offender suffers from a mental abnormality or personality disorder that would make the person likely to engage in a predatory sexually violent offense. The report shall be requested as a matter of course for any offender with a history of sexually violent offenses. The court shall provide the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board with any information available to assist the board in rendering an opinion. The board shall have 60 days from receipt of the court's request to respond with its report. After receiving a recommendation from the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board that a convicted sexually violent offender be classified as a sexually violent predator, the sentencing court shall so inform the offender and shall set a date to conduct a hearing affording the offender the opportunity to present testimony or evidence relevant to the recommended classification. After the hearing and within 60 days of receiving the report, the court shall issue a ruling as to whether or not the offender shall be classified as a sexually violent predator. If the court determines the offender to be a sexually violent predator, such fact shall be communicated in writing to the appropriate state official and to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

(B) The Sexual Offender Registration Review Board shall be composed of three professionals licensed under Title 43 and knowledgeable in the field of the behavior and treatment of sexual offenders; at least one representative from a victims' rights advocacy group or agency and at least one representative from a law enforcement agency who is certified as a peace officer under Title 35. The members of such board shall be appointed by the commissioner of human resources for terms of four years. Members of the board shall take office on the first day of September immediately following the expired term of that office and shall serve for a term of four years and until the appointment of their respective successors. No member shall serve on the board more than two consecutive terms. Vacancies occurring on the board, other than those caused by expiration of a term of office, shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment to the position vacated for the remainder of the unexpired term and until a successor is appointed. Members shall be entitled to an expense allowance and travel cost reimbursement the same as members of certain other boards and commissions as provided in Code Section 45-7-21.

(C) The Sexual Offender Review Board shall be attached to the Department of Human Resources for administrative purposes and provided there is adequate funding provided shall:

(i) Exercise its quasi-judicial, rule-making, or policy-making functions independently of the department and without approval or control of the department;

(ii) Prepare its budget, if any, and submit its budgetary requests, if any, through the department; and

(iii) Hire its own personnel if authorized by the Constitution of this state or by statute or if the General Assembly provides or authorizes the expenditure of funds therefor. (3)(A) If a person who is required to register under this Code section is released from prison or placed on parole, supervised release, or probation, the appropriate state official shall:

(i) Inform the person of the duty to register and obtain the information required under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of this subsection for such registration;

(ii) Inform the person that, if the person changes residence address, employment address, or school address, the person shall give the new address to the sheriff or sheriffs with whom the person last registered, not later than ten days after the change of address. Following such notification, the sheriff's office shall notify immediately the Georgia Bureau of Investigation through the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) of each change of address;

(iii) Inform the person that the person must register in any state where the person is employed or carries on a vocation or is a student;

(iv) Inform the person that, if the person changes residence to another state, the person shall register the new address with the sheriff or sheriffs with whom the person last registered, and that the person shall also register with a designated law enforcement agency in the new state not later than ten days after establishing residence in the new state;

(v) Obtain fingerprints and a photograph of the person if such fingerprints and photograph have not already been obtained in connection with the offense that triggered the initial registration; and

(vi) Require the person to read and sign a form stating that the duty of the person to register under this Code section has been explained. A copy of this form and any other registration information furnished by the Department of Corrections shall be forwarded to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

(B) In addition to the requirements of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, for a person required to register under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection, the appropriate state official shall obtain the name of the person; descriptive physical and behavioral information to assist law enforcement personnel in identifying the person; known current or proposed residence addresses of the person; place of employment, if any; offense history of the person; and documentation of any treatment received for any mental abnormality or personality disorder of the person; provided, however, that the appropriate state official shall not be required to obtain any information already on the criminal justice information system of the Georgia Crime Information Center.

(C) The Georgia Crime Information Center shall create criminal justice information system network transaction screens by which appropriate state officials shall enter original data required by this Code section including residence address, school address, and employment address. Screens shall also be created for sheriffs' offices for the entry of record confirmation data; employment; changes of residence, school, or employment; or other pertinent data and to assist in offender identification.

(D) Any person changing residence from another state or territory of the United States to Georgia who is required to register under federal law or the laws of another state, territory, or tribal authority or who has been convicted of an offense in another state, territory, or tribal authority which would require registration under this Code section if committed in this state shall comply with the registration requirements of this Code section. Such person shall register the new address and employment information with the appropriate sheriff of the county as specified in subsection (c) of this Code section not later than ten days after the date of establishing residency in this state. Upon the person's registration with the sheriff of the county of new residence, the sheriff or his or her designee shall forward the registration information to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff or his or her designee shall obtain any needed information concerning the registrant, including fingerprints and a photograph of the person if such fingerprints and photograph have not previously been obtained within the State of Georgia. In addition, the sheriff or his or her designee shall inform the person of the duty to report any change of address as otherwise required in this Code section. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall forward such information in the manner described in subsection (c) of this Code section.

(E) The following persons are also required to register:

(i) Any nonresident who enters this state for the purpose of employment for a period exceeding 14 consecutive days or for an aggregate period of time exceeding 30 days during any calendar year and who is required to register under federal law, military law, tribal law, or the laws of another state or territory, which, based on an act, would require registration under this Code section; or

(ii) Any nonresident who enters this state for the purpose of attending school as a full-time or part-time student and who is required to register under federal law, military law, tribal law, or the laws of another state or territory, which, based on an act, would require registration under this Code section.

Any person required to register by this subparagraph shall not later than ten days after the person enters the state register with the sheriff of the county of his or her temporary address, with the sheriff of the county of his or her employment, and with the sheriff of the county in which the person is attending school. The information registered shall include the person's temporary address, permanent address in the person's state of residence, employment address, or school address. Upon the person's registration, the sheriff or the sheriff's designee shall forward the registration information to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff or the sheriff's designee shall obtain the fingerprints and photograph of the person, if the person's fingerprints and photograph have not previously been obtained in Georgia. The sheriff or the sheriff's designee shall inform the person of his or her duty to report any change in temporary residence, permanent residence, employment address, or school address.

(c) The appropriate state official shall, within three days after receipt of information described in paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Code section, forward such information to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Once the data is entered into the criminal justice information system by the appropriate state official or sheriff, the Georgia Crime Information Center, where appropriate, shall immediately notify the sheriff of the person's county of residence, either permanent or temporary, the sheriff of the county of employment, and the sheriff of the county where the person attends school. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall also immediately transmit the conviction data and fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It shall be the duty of the sheriff of each county within this state to maintain a register of the names and addresses of all registered offenders within the sheriff's jurisdiction whose names have been provided by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to the sheriff under this Code section. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall establish operating policies and procedures concerning record ownership, quality, verification, modification, and cancellation and shall perform mail out and verification duties on a quarterly basis. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall send each month criminal justice information system network messages to sheriffs listing offenders due for verification. The bureau shall also create a photo image file from original entries and provide such entries to sheriffs to assist in offender identification and verification.

(d)(1) For a person required to register under subparagraph (b)(1)(A) of this Code section, on each anniversary of the person's initial registration date during the period in which the person is required to register under this Code section, the following applies:

(A) The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall mail a nonforwardable verification form to the last reported address of the person;

(B) The person shall be required as a condition of parole or probation to respond directly to the sheriff within ten days after receipt of the form;

(C) The verification form stating that the person still resides at the address last reported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall be signed by the person and retained by the sheriff; and

(D) If the person fails to respond directly to the sheriff within ten days after receipt of the form, the person shall be in violation of this Code section.

(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be applied to a person required to register under subparagraph (b)(1)(B) of this Code section, except that such person must verify the registration every 90 days after the date of the initial release on probation by the court or the initial release by the Department of Corrections or commencement of parole.

(e) A change of address by a person required to register under this Code section reported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall be immediately reported to the sheriff of the county where the person resides as set forth in subparagraph(b)(3)(E) of this Code section. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation shall, if the person changes residence to another state, notify the law enforcement agency with which the person must register in the new state.

(f) A person who has been convicted of an offense which requires registration under this Code section shall register the new address with a designated law enforcement agency in another state to which the person moves not later than ten days after such person establishes residence in the new state if the new state has a registration requirement.

(g) A person required to register under subparagraph (b)(1)(A) of this Code section shall continue to comply with this Code section, except during ensuing periods of incarceration, until:

(1) Ten years have elapsed since the person was released from prison or placed on parole, supervised release, or probation; or

(2) For the life of that person if that person:

(A) Has one or more prior convictions for an offense described in subparagraph (a)(4)(A) and paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of this Code section;

(B) Has been convicted of an aggravated offense described in paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of this Code section; or

(C) Has been determined to be a sexually violent predator pursuant to subparagraph (b)(2)(A) of this Code section.

(h) Any person who is required to register under this Code section and who fails to comply with the requirements of this Code section or who provides false information shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; provided, however, that upon the conviction of the second or subsequent offense under this subsection, the defendant shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than three years or by a fine in an amount of up to $100,000.00, or both.

(i) The information collected under the state registration program shall be treated as private data except that:

(1) Such information may be disclosed to law enforcement agencies for law enforcement purposes;

(2) Such information may be disclosed to government agencies conducting confidential background checks;

(3) The Georgia Bureau of Investigation or any sheriff maintaining records required under this Code section shall release relevant information collected under this Code section that is necessary to protect the public concerning those persons required to register under this Code section, except that the identity of a victim of an offense that requires registration under this Code section shall not be released. In addition to any other notice that may be necessary to protect the public, nothing in this Code section shall prevent any sheriff from posting this information in any public building in addition to those locations enumerated in subparagraph (b)(1)(B) of this Code section; and

(4) It shall be the responsibility of the sheriff maintaining records required under this Code section to enforce the criminal provisions of this Code section. The sheriff may request the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation upon his or her discretion.

(j) Law enforcement agencies, employees of law enforcement agencies, members of the Sexual Offender Registration Review Board, and state officials shall be immune from liability for good faith conduct under this Code section.

(k) The provisions of this Code section shall be in addition to and not in lieu of the provisions of Code Section 42-9-44.1, relating to conditions for parole of sexual offenders.

(l) The Board of Public Safety is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Crime Information Center to implement and carry out the provisions of this Code section.