Certification Enforcement and Registry Training (CERT)

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA) (Pub. L. 109-248, 42 U.S.C. § 16901, et seq) authorizes the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) to administer sex offender management grants. These grants assist state, local and tribal jurisdictions in developing and/or enhancing sex offender registration and notification programs that support substantial implementation of 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 Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) maintains the Utah State Sex and Kidnap Offender Registry which supports SORNA requirements. With funding support, UDC will concentrate law enforcement efforts for registered offenders who are in the community. The UDC will establish a Certification Enforcement and Registry Training (CERT) program within the Utah Registry Office. The CERT program will provide comprehensive training and annual certification in registry operations for approximately 130 agencies across the state responsible for registering offenders, provide training and tools for managing registerable offenders, fund Webcast broadcast equipment, software and services, computer equipment for local jurisdictions to access Webcast training services and process registrations, three Student Interns to develop and deliver training and perform certification of local agencies and to work with the Program Director on the day-to-day management of the grant project for the grant period.

ca/ncf