MEGAN’S LAW Sex Offender Guide
NOTE: In most cases, the landlord or licensed real estate agent, EVEN IF THEY KNOW OF A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER in the area, may not, by law, be permitted to tell you of that FACT! Therefore, be sure to check
TO SEE IF A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER MAY BE LIVING (REGISTERED) IN YOUR AREA or TO SEE WHERE A REGISTERED MAY BE LIVING,
USE THE FREE NATIONAL SEX OFFENDER PUBLIC SEARCH
The following information is from the site maintained by Klaaskids Organization. Please see their site for further information and to support a great system.
The 1994 rape and murder of seven-year-old Megan Kanka prompted the public to demand for broad based community notification. On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed Megan’s Law. Megan’s Law requires the following two components:
Sex Offender Registration – The 1994 Jacob Wetterling Act requires the States to register individuals convicted of sex crimes against children. Sex offender registration laws are necessary because:
- Sex offenders pose a high risk of re-offending after release from custody;
- Protecting the public from sex offenders is a primary governmental interest;
- The privacy interests of persons convicted of sex offenses are less important than the government’s interest in public safety;
- Release of certain information about sex offenders to public agencies and the general public will assist in protecting the public safety.
Community Notification – Megan’s Law allows the States discretion to establish criteria for disclosure, but compels them to make private and personal information on registered sex offenders available to the public. Community notification:
- Assists law enforcement in investigations;
- Establishes legal grounds to hold known offenders;
- Deters sex offenders from committing new offenses;
- Offers citizens information they can use to protect children from victimization.
The interactive Megan’s Law map is color coded to reflect Internet access of community notification laws to better serve America’s evolving, fast paced, transient society. Young parents considering day care providers or businesses and organizations whose employees or volunteers have unsupervised access to children require this critical information so that they can make informed choices based on the best information available.
You should also confirm this with your STATE LAWS on RentLaw.com
Megan’s Law by State – from Klaaskids.org / MegansLaw.org
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington, D.C.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming