Sex Offender Registration

Sex Offender Registration Requirements

Registration Requirements

The State of Texas requires all offenders convicted of any of the BELOW listed offenses to register with a local law enforcement authority where the offender intents to reside. The law enforcement agency then verifies the registration and forwards the information to the Texas Department of Public Safety. As long as the offender is required to register as a sex offender, the offender must report any status changes to the local law enforcement authority within seven (7) days of the change. Failure to comply with registration, verification, or update processes are separate criminal offenses (felonies.)

The West Columbia Police Department registers sex offenders who reside inside the City of West Columbia.

Sex Offenses

The following criminal offenses require the registration of an offender with the State of Texas as a sex offender:

  • Aggravated Sexual Assault
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
  • Aggravated Sexual Assault (65 years or older)
  • Aggravated Kidnapping (w/intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually)
  • Burglary of a Habitation (w/intent to commit a sex offense)
  • Compelling Prostitution
  • Indecency with a Child (exposure)
  • Indecency with a Child (sexual contact)
  • Indecent Exposure (2nd conviction)
  • Possession/Promotion of Child Pornography
  • Prohibited Sexual Conduct
  • Sexual Assault
  • Sexual Assault of a Child
  • Sexual Performance of a Child (employ induce/authorize)
  • Sexual Performance of a Child (produce/direct/promote)

The following offenses require registration as a sex offender if the victim is younger than 17 years of age, and the offense was sex related:

  • Aggravated Kidnapping
  • Aggravated Kidnapping (release victim in safe place)
  • Kidnapping
  • Unlawful Restraint
  • Unlawful Restraint (victim less than 17 years old)
  • Unlawful Restraint (exposes victim to serious bodily injury)

West Columbia City Ordinance for Sex Offenders

EFFECTIVE 05-08-2006: The City of West Columbia adopted a city ordinance regulating the residency of convicted sex offenders within the City of West Columbia. Sex offenders are prohibited from living within 1000 feet of Child Safety Zones. Child Safety Zones are defined as any areas where children are likely to congregate, including, but not limited to, schools, parks, playgrounds, day care facilities, public swimming pools, public or private youth centers, and video arcade facilities. There are a number of exceptions to this ordinance.

See the complete ordinance and a map of the safety zone (PDF).