Amends TCA Title 37; Title 39, Chapter 13 and Title 40, Chapter 39, Part 2.

Present law defines a "violent juvenile offense" as an adjudication of delinquency, for any act committed on or after July 1, 2011, that, if committed by an adult, constitutes, certain criminal offenses. One such criminal offense being rape of a child if the victim is at least four years younger than the offender. This bill adds that another such criminal offense that constitutes a "violent juvenile offense" includes rape of a child if the victim is less than four years younger than the offender, and the judge, taking into account the facts and circumstances surrounding the delinquent act, orders that the juvenile be required to register as a violent juvenile sexual offender. ON MARCH 11, 2024, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 2279, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 clarifies that a "violent juvenile sexual offense" includes, in addition to other offenses, the rape of a child if (i) the victim is at least four years younger than the offender; or (ii) for acts occurring on or after July 1, 2024, the victim is less than four years younger than the offender, and the judge, taking into account the facts and circumstances surrounding the delinquent act, orders that the juvenile be required to register as a violent juvenile sexual offender.