- § 20911. Relevant definitions, including Amie Zyla expansion of sex offender definition and expanded inclusion of child predators
- § 20912. Registry requirements for jurisdictions
- § 20913. Registry requirements for sex offenders
- § 20914. Information required in registration
- § 20915. Duration of registration requirement
- § 20916. Direction to the Attorney General
- § 20917. Checking system for social networking websites
- § 20918. Periodic in person verification
- § 20919. Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register
- § 20920. Public access to sex offender information through the Internet
- § 20921. National Sex Offender Registry
- § 20922. Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website
- § 20923. Megan Nicole Kanka and Alexandra Nicole Zapp Community Notification Program
- § 20924. Actions to be taken when sex offender fails to comply
- § 20925. Development and availability of registry management and website software
- § 20926. Period for implementation by jurisdictions
- § 20927. Failure of jurisdiction to comply
- § 20928. Sex Offender Management Assistance (SOMA) program
- § 20929. Election by Indian tribes
- § 20930. Registration of sex offenders entering the United States
- § 20931. Registration of sex offenders released from military corrections facilities or upon conviction
- § 20932. Immunity for good faith conduct
§ 20911. Relevant definitions, including Amie Zyla expansion of sex offender definition and expanded inclusion of child predatorsIn this subchapter the following definitions apply:
(1) Sex offender
(2) Tier I sex offender
(3) Tier II sex offenderThe term “tier II sex offender” means a sex offender other than a tier III sex offender whose offense is punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year and—
(A) is comparable to or more severe than the following offenses, when committed against a minor, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit such an offense against a minor:
(i) sex trafficking (as described in section 1591 of title 18);
(ii) coercion and enticement (as described in section 2422(b) of title 18);
(iii) transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (as described in section 2423(a)) 1
1 So in original. The second closing parenthesis probably should follow “18”.
of title 18;(iv) abusive sexual contact (as described in section 2244 of title 18);
(B) involves—
(i) use of a minor in a sexual performance;
(ii) solicitation of a minor to practice prostitution; or
(iii) production or distribution of child pornography; or
(C) occurs after the offender becomes a tier I sex offender.
(4) Tier III sex offenderThe term “tier III sex offender” means a sex offender whose offense is punishable by imprisonment for more than 1 year and—
(A) is comparable to or more severe than the following offenses, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit such an offense:
(i) aggravated sexual abuse or sexual abuse (as described in sections 2241 and 2242 of title 18); or
(ii) abusive sexual contact (as described in section 2244 of title 18) against a minor who has not attained the age of 13 years;
(B) involves kidnapping of a minor (unless committed by a parent or guardian); or
(C) occurs after the offender becomes a tier II sex offender.
(5) Amie Zyla expansion of sex offense definition
(A) GenerallyExcept as limited by subparagraph (B) or (C), the term “sex offense” means—
(i) a criminal offense that has an element involving a sexual act or sexual contact with another;
(ii) a criminal offense that is a specified offense against a minor;
(iii) a Federal offense (including an offense prosecuted under section 1152 or 1153 of title 18) under section 1591, or chapter 109A, 110 (other than section 2257, 2257A, or 2258), or 117, of title 18;
(iv) a military offense specified by the Secretary of Defense under section 115(a)(8)(C)(i) of Public Law 105–119 (10 U.S.C. 951 note); or
(v) an attempt or conspiracy to commit an offense described in clauses (i) through (iv).
(B) Foreign convictions
(C) Offenses involving consensual sexual conduct
(6) Criminal offense
(7) Expansion of definition of “specified offense against a minor” to include all offenses by child predatorsThe term “specified offense against a minor” means an offense against a minor that involves any of the following:
(A) An offense (unless committed by a parent or guardian) involving kidnapping.
(B) An offense (unless committed by a parent or guardian) involving false imprisonment.
(C) Solicitation to engage in sexual conduct.
(D) Use in a sexual performance.
(E) Solicitation to practice prostitution.
(F) Video voyeurism as described in section 1801 of title 18.
(G) Possession, production, or distribution of child pornography.
(H) Criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, or the use of the Internet to facilitate or attempt such conduct.
(I) Any conduct that by its nature is a sex offense against a minor.
(8) Convicted as including certain juvenile adjudications
(9) Sex offender registry
(10) JurisdictionThe term “jurisdiction” means any of the following:
(A) A State.
(B) The District of Columbia.
(C) The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(D) Guam.
(E) American Samoa.
(F) The Northern Mariana Islands.
(G) The United States Virgin Islands.
(H) To the extent provided and subject to the requirements of section 20929 of this title, a federally recognized Indian tribe.
(11) Student
(12) Employee
(13) Resides
(14) Minor
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 111, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 591.)
§ 20912. Registry requirements for jurisdictions
(a) Jurisdiction to maintain a registry
(b) Guidelines and regulations
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 112, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 593.)
§ 20913. Registry requirements for sex offenders
(a) In general
(b) Initial registration
The sex offender shall initially register—
(1) before completing a sentence of imprisonment with respect to the offense giving rise to the registration requirement; or
(2) not later than 3 business days after being sentenced for that offense, if the sex offender is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
(c) Keeping the registration current
(d) Initial registration of sex offenders unable to comply with subsection (b)
(e) State penalty for failure to comply
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 113, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 593.)
§ 20914. Information required in registration
(a) Provided by the offender
The sex offender shall provide the following information to the appropriate official for inclusion in the sex offender registry:
(1) The name of the sex offender (including any alias used by the individual).
(2) The Social Security number of the sex offender.
(3) The address of each residence at which the sex offender resides or will reside.
(4) The name and address of any place where the sex offender is an employee or will be an employee.
(5) The name and address of any place where the sex offender is a student or will be a student.
(6) The license plate number and a description of any vehicle owned or operated by the sex offender.
(7) Information relating to intended travel of the sex offender outside the United States, including any anticipated dates and places of departure, arrival, or return, carrier and flight numbers for air travel, destination country and address or other contact information therein, means and purpose of travel, and any other itinerary or other travel-related information required by the Attorney General.
(8) Any other information required by the Attorney General.
(b) Provided by the jurisdiction
The jurisdiction in which the sex offender registers shall ensure that the following information is included in the registry for that sex offender:
(1) A physical description of the sex offender.
(2) The text of the provision of law defining the criminal offense for which the sex offender is registered.
(3) The criminal history of the sex offender, including the date of all arrests and convictions; the status of parole, probation, or supervised release; registration status; and the existence of any outstanding arrest warrants for the sex offender.
(4) A current photograph of the sex offender.
(5) A set of fingerprints and palm prints of the sex offender.
(6) A DNA sample of the sex offender.
(7) A photocopy of a valid driver’s license or identification card issued to the sex offender by a jurisdiction.
(8) Any other information required by the Attorney General.
(c) Time and manner
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 114, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 594; Pub. L. 114–119, § 6(a), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 22.)
§ 20915. Duration of registration requirement
(a) Full registration period
A sex offender shall keep the registration current for the full registration period (excluding any time the sex offender is in custody or civilly committed) unless the offender is allowed a reduction under subsection (b). The full registration period is—
(1) 15 years, if the offender is a tier I sex offender;
(2) 25 years, if the offender is a tier II sex offender; and
(3) the life of the offender, if the offender is a tier III sex offender.
(b) Reduced period for clean record
(1) Clean record
The full registration period shall be reduced as described in paragraph (3) for a sex offender who maintains a clean record for the period described in paragraph (2) by—
(A) not being convicted of any offense for which imprisonment for more than 1 year may be imposed;
(B) not being convicted of any sex offense;
(C) successfully completing any periods of supervised release, probation, and parole; and
(D) successfully completing of 1
1 So in original. The word “of” probably should not appear.
an appropriate sex offender treatment program certified by a jurisdiction or by the Attorney General.(2) Period
In the case of—
(A) a tier I sex offender, the period during which the clean record shall be maintained is 10 years; and
(B) a tier III sex offender adjudicated delinquent for the offense which required registration in a sex registry under this subchapter, the period during which the clean record shall be maintained is 25 years.
(3) Reduction
In the case of—
(A) a tier I sex offender, the reduction is 5 years;
(B) a tier III sex offender adjudicated delinquent, the reduction is from life to that period for which the clean record under paragraph (2) is maintained.
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 115, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 595.)
§ 20916. Direction to the Attorney General
(a) Requirement that sex offenders provide certain Internet related information to sex offender registries
(b) Timeliness of reporting of information
(c) Nondisclosure to general public
(d) Notice to sex offenders of new requirements
(e) Definitions
(1) Of “social networking website”As used in this Act, the term “social networking website”—
(A) means an Internet website—
(i) that allows users, through the creation of web pages or profiles or by other means, to provide information about themselves that is available to the public or to other users; and
(ii) that offers a mechanism for communication with other users where such users are likely to include a substantial number of minors; and
(iii) whose primary purpose is to facilitate online social interactions; and
(B) includes any contractors or agents used by the website to act on behalf of the website in carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) Of “Internet identifiers”
(3) Other terms
(Pub. L. 110–400, § 2, Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4224.)
§ 20917. Checking system for social networking websites
(a) In general
(1) Secure system for comparisonsThe Attorney General shall establish and maintain a secure system that permits social networking websites to compare the information contained in the National Sex Offender Registry with the Internet identifiers of users of the social networking websites, and view only those Internet identifiers that match. The system—
(A) shall not require or permit any social networking website to transmit Internet identifiers of its users to the operator of the system, and
(B) shall use secure procedures that preserve the secrecy of the information made available by the Attorney General, including protection measures that render the Internet identifiers and other data elements indecipherable.
(2) Provision of information relating to identity
(b) Qualification for use of systemA social networking website seeking to use the system shall submit an application to the Attorney General which provides—
(1) the name and legal status of the website;
(2) the contact information for the website;
(3) a description of the nature and operations of the website;
(4) a statement explaining why the website seeks to use the system;
(5) a description of policies and procedures to ensure that—
(A) any individual who is denied access to that website on the basis of information obtained through the system is promptly notified of the basis for the denial and has the ability to challenge the denial of access; and
(B) if the social networking website finds that information is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified, the site immediately notifies the appropriate State registry and the Department of Justice, so that they may delete or correct that information in the respective State and national databases;
(6) the identity and address of, and contact information for, any contractor that will be used by the social networking website to use the system; and
(7) such other information or attestations as the Attorney General may require to ensure that the website will use the system—
(A) to protect the safety of the users of such website; and
(B) for the limited purpose of making the automated comparison described in subsection (a).
(c) Searches against the system
(1) Frequency of use of the system
(2) Authority of Attorney General to suspend useThe Attorney General may deny, suspend, or terminate use of the system by a social networking website that—
(A) provides false information in its application for use of the system;
(B) may be using or seeks to use the system for any unlawful or improper purpose;
(C) fails to comply with the procedures required under subsection (b)(5); or
(D) uses information obtained from the system in any way that is inconsistent with the purposes of this Act.
(3) Limitation on release of Internet identifiers
(A) No public release
(B) Additional limitations
(C) Strict adherence to limitation
(D) Rule of construction
(4) Payment of fee
(5) Limitation on liability
(A) In general
(B) Intentional, reckless, or other misconductSubparagraph (A) does not apply to a claim if the social networking website, or a director, officer, employee, parent, contractor, or agent of that social networking website—
(i) engaged in intentional misconduct; or
(ii) acted, or failed to act—(I) with actual malice;(II) with reckless disregard to a substantial risk of causing injury without legal justification; or(III) for a purpose unrelated to the performance of any responsibility or function described in paragraph (3).
(C) Minimizing access
(6) Rule of construction
(Pub. L. 110–400, § 3, Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4225.)
§ 20918. Periodic in person verification
A sex offender shall appear in person, allow the jurisdiction to take a current photograph, and verify the information in each registry in which that offender is required to be registered not less frequently than—
(1) each year, if the offender is a tier I sex offender;
(2) every 6 months, if the offender is a tier II sex offender; and
(3) every 3 months, if the offender is a tier III sex offender.
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 116, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 595.)
§ 20919. Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register
(a) In general
An appropriate official shall, shortly before release of the sex offender from custody, or, if the sex offender is not in custody, immediately after the sentencing of the sex offender, for the offense giving rise to the duty to register—
(1) inform the sex offender of the duties of a sex offender under this subchapter and explain those duties;
(2) require the sex offender to read and sign a form stating that the duty to register has been explained and that the sex offender understands the registration requirement; and
(3) ensure that the sex offender is registered.
(b) Notification of sex offenders who cannot comply with subsection (a)
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 117, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 595.)
§ 20920. Public access to sex offender information through the Internet
(a) In general
(b) Mandatory exemptions
A jurisdiction shall exempt from disclosure—
(1) the identity of any victim of a sex offense;
(2) the Social Security number of the sex offender;
(3) any reference to arrests of the sex offender that did not result in conviction; and
(4) any other information exempted from disclosure by the Attorney General.
(c) Optional exemptions
A jurisdiction may exempt from disclosure—
(1) any information about a tier I sex offender convicted of an offense other than a specified offense against a minor;
(2) the name of an employer of the sex offender;
(3) the name of an educational institution where the sex offender is a student; and
(4) any other information exempted from disclosure by the Attorney General.
(d) Links
(e) Correction of errors
(f) Warning
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 118, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 596.)
§ 20921. National Sex Offender Registry
(a) Internet
(b) Electronic forwarding
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 119, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 596.)
§ 20922. Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website
(a) Establishment
(b) Information to be provided
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 120, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 597.)
§ 20923. Megan Nicole Kanka and Alexandra Nicole Zapp Community Notification Program
(a) Establishment of Program
(b) Program notification
Except as provided in subsection (c), immediately after a sex offender registers or updates a registration, an appropriate official in the jurisdiction shall provide the information in the registry (other than information exempted from disclosure by the Attorney General) about that offender to the following:
(1) The Attorney General, who shall include that information in the National Sex Offender Registry or other appropriate databases.
(2) Appropriate law enforcement agencies (including probation agencies, if appropriate), and each school and public housing agency, in each area in which the individual resides, is an employee or is a student.
(3) Each jurisdiction where the sex offender resides, is an employee, or is a student, and each jurisdiction from or to which a change of residence, employment, or student status occurs.
(4) Any agency responsible for conducting employment-related background checks under section 40102 of this title.
(5) Social service entities responsible for protecting minors in the child welfare system.
(6) Volunteer organizations in which contact with minors or other vulnerable individuals might occur.
(7) Any organization, company, or individual who requests such notification pursuant to procedures established by the jurisdiction.
(c) Frequency
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 121, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 597.)
§ 20924. Actions to be taken when sex offender fails to comply
An appropriate official shall notify the Attorney General and appropriate law enforcement agencies of any failure by a sex offender to comply with the requirements of a registry and revise the jurisdiction’s registry to reflect the nature of that failure. The appropriate official, the Attorney General, and each such law enforcement agency shall take any appropriate action to ensure compliance.
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 122, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 597.)
§ 20925. Development and availability of registry management and website software
(a) Duty to develop and support
(b) Criteria
The software should facilitate—
(1) immediate exchange of information among jurisdictions;
(2) public access over the Internet to appropriate information, including the number of registered sex offenders in each jurisdiction on a current basis;
(3) full compliance with the requirements of this subchapter; and
(4) communication of information to community notification program participants as required under section 20923 of this title.
(c) Deadline
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 123, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 598.)
§ 20926. Period for implementation by jurisdictions
(a) Deadline
Each jurisdiction shall implement this subchapter before the later of—
(1) 3 years after July 27, 2006; and
(2) 1 year after the date on which the software described in section 20925 of this title is available.
(b) Extensions
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 124, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 598.)
§ 20927. Failure of jurisdiction to comply
(a) In general
(b) State constitutionality
(1) In general
(2) Efforts
(3) Alternative procedures
(4) Funding reduction
(c) Reallocation
(d) Rule of construction
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 125, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 598.)
§ 20928. Sex Offender Management Assistance (SOMA) program
(a) In general
(b) Application
(c) Bonus payments for prompt compliance
A jurisdiction that, as determined by the Attorney General, has substantially implemented this subchapter not later than 2 years after July 27, 2006, is eligible for a bonus payment. The Attorney General may make such a payment under the SOMA program for the first fiscal year beginning after that determination. The amount of the payment shall be—
(1) 10 percent of the total received by the jurisdiction under the SOMA program for the preceding fiscal year, if that implementation is not later than 1 year after July 27, 2006; and
(2) 5 percent of such total, if not later than 2 years after July 27, 2006.
(d) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 126, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 599.)
§ 20929. Election by Indian tribes
(a) Election
(1) In general
A federally recognized Indian tribe may, by resolution or other enactment of the tribal council or comparable governmental body—
(A) elect to carry out this part as a jurisdiction subject to its provisions; or
(B) elect to delegate its functions under this part to another jurisdiction or jurisdictions within which the territory of the tribe is located and to provide access to its territory and such other cooperation and assistance as may be needed to enable such other jurisdiction or jurisdictions to carry out and enforce the requirements of this part.
(2) Imputed election in certain cases
A tribe shall be treated as if it had made the election described in paragraph (1)(B) if—
(A) it is a tribe subject to the law enforcement jurisdiction of a State under section 1162 of title 18;
(B) the tribe does not make an election under paragraph (1) within 1 year of July 27, 2006 or rescinds an election under paragraph (1)(A); or
(C) the Attorney General determines that the tribe has not substantially implemented the requirements of this part and is not likely to become capable of doing so within a reasonable amount of time.
(b) Cooperation between tribal authorities and other jurisdictions
(1) Nonduplication
(2) Cooperative agreements
A tribe may, through cooperative agreements with such a jurisdiction or jurisdictions—
(A) arrange for the tribe to carry out any function of such a jurisdiction under this part with respect to sex offenders subject to the tribe’s jurisdiction; and
(B) arrange for such a jurisdiction to carry out any function of the tribe under this part with respect to sex offenders subject to the tribe’s jurisdiction.
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 127, July 27, 2006,
§ 20930. Registration of sex offenders entering the United States
The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall establish and maintain a system for informing the relevant jurisdictions about persons entering the United States who are required to register under this subchapter. The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide such information and carry out such functions as the Attorney General may direct in the operation of the system.
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 128, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 600.)
§ 20931. Registration of sex offenders released from military corrections facilities or upon conviction
The Secretary of Defense shall provide to the Attorney General the information described in section 20914 of this title to be included in the National Sex Offender Registry and the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website regarding persons—
(1)
(A) released from military corrections facilities; or
(B) convicted if the sentences adjudged by courts-martial under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice) do not include confinement; and
(2) required to register under this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 128A, as added Pub. L. 114–22, title V, § 502(a), May 29, 2015, 129 Stat. 258.)
§ 20932. Immunity for good faith conduct
The Federal Government, jurisdictions, political subdivisions of jurisdictions, and their agencies, officers, employees, and agents shall be immune from liability for good faith conduct under this subchapter.
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, § 131, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 601.)