CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER AS GROUNDS FOR DENIAL.

SEC. 11602. CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER AS GROUNDS FOR DENIAL. (a) In General.—Chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “SEC. 7511. [46 U.S.C. 7511] Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial “(a) Sexual Abuse.—A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be issued under this part shall be denied to an individual who has been convicted of a sexual offense prohibited under— “(1) chapter 109A of title 18, except for subsection (b) of section 2244 of title 18; or “(2) a substantially similar offense under State, local, or Tribal law. “(b) Abusive Sexual Contact.—A license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document authorized to be issued under this part may be denied to an individual who within 5 years before applying for the license, certificate, or document, has been convicted of a sexual offense prohibited under subsection (b) of section 2244 of title 18, or a substantially similar offense under State, local, or Tribal law.” . (b) Clerical Amendment.—The analysis for chapter 75 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: “7511. Convicted sex offender as grounds for denial.” .