SMART Support for Adam Walsh 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 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.

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians is working to fully implement SORNA requirements and develop a comprehensive approach to sex offender management. The Turtle Mountain Band plans to take the following specific steps: (1) replace a broken digital machine for the creation of sex offender records; (2) hold four community awareness/education forums; (3) develop a sex offender policies and procedures manual for local schools; (4) get a signed Memorandum of Agreement from the State of North Dakota, elucidating each party's SORNA responsibilities; (5) develop and implement a signed Memorandum of Agreement and Policies and Procedures Manual between all North Dakota Tribes that will allow for communication and exchange of information regarding sex offenders residing on each Reservation; and (6) codify sex offender registration and the various requirements of SORNA. Additionally, SMART FY 13 AWA grant funds in part, will support three employees (SORNA Project Director, Enforcement Officer, and Project Assistant) to help carry out these tasks. ca/ncf