Policy and News


Current Laws

Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (1994)
The Act requires states to implement a registry for sex offenders.  For more information, go to the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Megan's Law (1996)
This law amendmends the Jacob Wetterling Act to requires all states to establish a procedure for notifying people when a sex-offender is released into their community.

The Pam Lyncher Sexual Offender Tracking and Identification Act (1996)
This ammends the Jacob Wetterling Act to require lifetime registration for sex offenders who recidivate and for certain types of sex offenders. 

Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (2006)
The Act strengthens notification and registration laws for sex offenders in multiple ways, including making failure to register a federal felony and increasing mandatory minimum sentences for sex offenders. 

Click here to read a briefing book on the Adam Walsh Act from the Justice Policy Institute




In the News

Justice Kennedy prods Obama to commute sentences
Politico - 3/30/10

In the business of giving second chances
TwinCities.com - 1/16/10

Smart answers to recidivism (editorial)
New York Times - 12/24/09

Along with a resume, an unusual disclosure
New York Times - 12/18/09

Senate to take up crime records
St. Petersburg Times - 11/19/09

Some inmates eligible for parole held longer than guidelines suggest
Richmond Times Dispatch - 9/4/09

Pa. lifers seeking clemency in wake of US ruling
Associated Press - 9/3/09

Vicitim's parents target violent-offender laws
Boston Globe - 8/12/09

There's no evidence Jessica's Law works, California officials say
Los Angeles Times - 1/14/09

Unlikely force fighting sex crime's stigma
Houston Chronicle - 12/13/08

Florida Housing Rules Chase Sex Offenders Around the Block
Los Angeles Times - 11/24/08

Report:  Funding for Sex Offender Treatment Lacking

Deseret News - 11/18/08

Repeat Sex Offender Living in Parking Garage

Concort Monitor - 10/29/08

Residency Restrictions for Sex Offenders Popular, But Ineffective
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - 10/26/08

Making Punishments Fit the Most Offensive Crimes

The Wall Street Journal - 10/23/08

Colorado Sex-Crime Database Perplexes

The Denver Post - 9/22/08

Monitors Taken off Four Sex Offenders

The News & Observer - 4/29/08

A Legacy of Evil
Part One: Abused Become Abusers in Former Probation Officer's Case
Part Two: Victims in Straub Case, Again Victimized in Bankruptcy
Part Three: Straub's Sexual Assault Victims Hire Ex-Top State Prosecutor
Hartford Courant - 4/13/08 - 4/15/08

Sex offenders wander S.J.

Sex Offender Rehab Center Draws Scrutiny
Boston Herald - 3/2/08