Indiana 2013 AWA

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 Indiana Department of Corrections has identified three projects that will help it implement SORNA. The State plans to (1) contract with a local university/researcher to review the State's registry database for consistency, validity, and accuracy in regards to SORNA and Indiana's registration requirements; (2) implement a process where offenders' criminal history records are improved prior to the offender's release from the Department; and (3) develop connectivity with a vendor to provide electronic booking alerts and watches associated with registered Indiana sex offenders. ca/ncf