Group items tagged

SORNA refers to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act which is Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-248). SORNA provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. SORNA aims to close potential gaps and loopholes that existed under prior law and generally strengthens the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. Additionally, SORNA: - Extends the jurisdictions in which registration is required beyond the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the principal U.S. territories, to include also federally recognized Indian tribes. - Incorporates a more comprehensive group of sex offenders and sex offenses for which registration is required. - Requires registered sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction in which they reside, work, or go to school. - Requires sex offenders to provide more extensive registration information. - Requires sex offenders to make periodic in-person appearances to verify and update their registration information. - Expands the amount of information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders. - Makes changes in the required minimum duration of registration for sex offenders.

The SMART Office was authorized by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 to: - administer the standards for the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program set forth in Title 1 of the Adam Walsh Act; - administer grant programs relating to sex offender registration and notification authorized by the Adam Walsh Act and other grant programs authorized by the Adam Walsh Act as directed by the Attorney General; - cooperate with and provide technical assistance to states, the District of Columbia, principle U.S. territories, units of local government, tribal governments, and other public and private entities involved in activities related to sex offender registration or notification or to other measures for the protection of children or other members of the public from sexual abuse or exploitation; and - perform such other functions as the Attorney General may delegate.