A bill sponsored by Prescott area State Representative Quang Nguyen targeting sex offenders who change their name unanimously passed the Arizona House. The measure would tighten Arizona’s name-change process for people with criminal convictions and those required to register as sex offenders.
Nguyen, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, says the bill closes a gap that can leave victims and law enforcement unaware when an offender seeks a court-approved name change. He says the legislation is designed to prevent offenders from using a new name to evade scrutiny or weaken registration tracking.
Under HB 2223, applicants must disclose under penalty of perjury whether they have a conviction requiring sex offender registration. Registrants must also affirm that required notice of the application has been completed.
The bill moves on to the state Senate.