Santee Sioux Nation AWA Implementation Grant

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA) (Pub. L. 109-248, 42 U.S.C. § 16901, et seq) authorizes the Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) Office to administer sex offender management grants. These grants assist state, local and tribal jurisdictions in implementing and/or enhancing sex offender registration and notification programs that support compliance with Title I of the AWA, known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). SORNA was enacted to protect the public from convicted sex offenders and offenders against children by establishing a comprehensive national system for the registration of those offenders.

The Santee Sioux Nation Law Enforcement (SSNLE) Program currently lacks the staffing abilities and the skill set to ensure compliance with the Adam Walsh Act. With the help of funding, the Santee Sioux Nation will be able to hire a dedicated staff member to implement SORNA requirements within the mandated timeframe as well as train other law enforcement and tribal court officials in the use and maintenance of a registry system. In the initial stages of policy implementation, a five-member policy/oversight committee will be formed to assess the current ability of the SSNLE to address non-compliance issues. This committee and their SMART Administrator will work to create a local sex offender registry and procure the software and equipment necessary for the registration and monitoring of sexual offenders. Along with the Tribal Council, the committee will establish as well as enforce a non-compliant sex offender policy.

ca/ncf