Sex Offender Registry updates

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 New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) has been responsible for New Hampshire's Sex Offender Registry since its inception in 1993. The NHSP plans to use grant funds for technology upgrades and enhanced infrastructure for its existing, SORNA-compliant system. The State will also fund auxiliary Trooper staff time and civilian staff overtime to allow the Unit to move toward greater SORNA compliance with State and Federal laws by conducting address verifications as well as to conduct more stakeholder services and trainings. ca/ncf