COLUMBUS, OH — There wasn’t a single voice of protest raised during last week’s Ohio legislative panel meeting as it passed the first-ever state-wide “civil registry” for sex offenders. While it’s common for states to have public records that identify and track convicted sex offenders, Ohio’s will be unique — because those listed won’t need to have been charged with a crime; they’ll only need to have been accused of one.Attorney General Jim Petro’s office submitted the new rules to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, which consists of members of both the Ohio House and Senate. He didn’t devise the rules, however. Roman Catholic bishops did.

The bishops believe the civil registry is a viable alternative for those who wish to file suit against alleged child molesters and rapists whose crimes were committed sometimes as many as 35 years ago, long after the filing window has closed.

Thanks to a recently enacted law, requests by the state attorney general, county prosecutors, or a self-identified victim can be made to the judiciary, asking that an accused person be declared a sex offender — even if there has been no legal decision or success. The process dictates that those placed on the civil registry be treated identical to convicted sex offenders, meaning that both groups would be subject to the restrictions of the state’s “Megan’s Law.”

What this means for the accused and civilly registered, is that their name, address, and photographic likeness would be placed on an internet database. They would be required to register their location with the government, notify communities of their whereabouts, and abide by movement and residency restrictions. If there have been no problems with the civilly declared offender after six years, she or he has the right to petition to have their name removed from the list… if deemed to no longer be a risk to the community.