Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Adam Walsh Act Implementation

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 Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe has opted to implement a sex offender registration and notification program in compliance with SORNA. The project focuses on identifying and registering sex offenders within the Tribes jurisdiction, improving community awareness and safety, and reporting non-compliance with the sex offender registration program to the Tribal Court for active enforcement. In order to get the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program operational, the Tribe needs funding to hire necessary personnel, purchase necessary equipment, begin registry functions and collaborate with neighboring tribal and state jurisdictions.

ca/ncf