The provincial government has introduced proposed amendments to Change of Name legislation to allow the minister of Service NL discretionary authority to deny convicted sex offenders from legally changing their names.

The proposed amendments identify 16 designated offences under the Criminal Code of Canada, including sexual assault, child pornography, trafficking and aggravated sexual assault.

The minister would have the authority to refuse the requested name change for anyone convicted of any of the listed offences.

The proposed amendments will also require criminal record checks from applicants seeking legal name changes.