The so-called “Romeo and Juliet” bill is on its way to Governor Snyder’s desk for his signature.
The measure will remove people who are on Michigan’s Sex Offender Registry because they had consensual sex with another teenager.
They’re currently kept on the list for 25 years.
State Sen. Rick Jones sponsored the bill. He says it puts Michigan in compliance with the federal Adam Walsh Act.
"This law will require that you petition the judge, the judge will review the case, and only in cases where it was completely consensual -- boyfriend/girlfriend-type behavior -- will the individual be allowed to be removed from the list," Jones says.
The law also takes most peeping toms and exhibitionists – or flashers – off the list. Instead, they’ll be on a separate list monitored by the Michigan State Police for 15 years.
Contact Rina Miller at catmil@umich.edu
