To amend chapter 566, RSMo, by adding thereto three new sections relating to sex offenders, with penalty provisions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

     Section A. Chapter 566, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto three new sections, to be known as sections 566.650, 566.653 and 566.656, to read as follows:

     566.650. The department of public safety shall create a sex offender registry which contains the following information regarding each person who has been convicted of a sexual offense against a child under age eighteen on or after October 1, 1997, for which such person is required to register pursuant to section 566.600:

     (1) The person's name which shall be categorized by his community of residence and zip code;

     (2) The person's physical description;

     (3) The person's criminal history; and

     (4) The person's address.

     566.653. 1. The department of public safety shall send an updated copy of the sex offender registry on January first and July first of each calendar year to:

     (1) The superintendent of each school district;

     (2) The principal of each nonpublic school;

     (3) Any state board that licenses individuals who work with children;

     (4) The director of the department of social services;

     (5) All child care facilities and child placement agencies; and

     (6) Other entities that provide services to children and request the registry.

     2. Each school district shall establish a policy for distributing information contained in the registry to principals, teachers and other school officials.

     3. The department shall include the following notice when sending a copy of the sex offender registry:

     "A person whose name appears on this registry has been convicted of a sex offense against a child under age eighteen. Continuing to employ a person whose name appears on this registry may result in civil liability for the employer".

     566.656. 1. A person or agency who receives a copy of the sex offender registry may only use information contained in the registry for the following purposes:

     (1) Protecting a child at risk; or

     (2) Deciding whether to hire an applicant for a position which involves the supervision of or contact with children.

     2. Any person who uses information contained in the sex offender registry for purposes other than those provided in subsection 1 of this section shall be liable for the actual damages incurred by any person, whose name appears on the registry, as a result of such unauthorized use. A person who is found liable under this subsection may also be assessed attorney's fees, court costs, and a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars.