Campus Sex Crime Prevention Act

This law requires the tracking of registered sex offenders enrolled at or employed by institutions of higher education. This is in conjunction with the federal law enacted on October 28, 2000.

The act amends the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children Act and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act to require sex offenders already required to register in a state to provide notice, as required under state law, of each institution of higher education in that state at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student. Sex offenders who fail to register their status as a student or employee at an institution of higher education are in violation of the registration act and face arrest.

This act also amends the Jeanne Clery Act to require institutions of higher education to issue a statement, in addition to other disclosures required under that act, advising the campus community where law enforcement agency information provided by a state concerning registered sex offenders may be obtained.

The Illinois State Police provides a listing of sex offenders required to register in the state of Illinois. The database is updated daily and can be found at the following website: ISP.Illinois.Gov/sor.

Lastly, the act amends the Family Educational Rights and privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) to clarify that nothing in the act may be construed to prohibit an educational institution from disclosing information provided to the institution concerning registered sex offenders; and requires the Secretary of Education to take the appropriate steps to notify educational institutions that disclosure of this information is permitted.