SMART FY 14 Support for 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 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. principal territories 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 Virgin Islands' Department of Justice (VIDOJ) will use SMART FY 14 AWA grant funds to continue employing personnel for the Virgin Islands Sexual Offender Registry; enhance the geographical mapping system to include all sex offenders who reside, work, or attend school in the Territory; implement a comprehensive set of policies and procedures to ensure compliance; continue its public awareness campaign; and create a Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORNA) training program for personnel and staff. These activities will allow the VIDOJ to maintain, enhance, and create programs and efforts that will assist in maintaining compliance with SORNA requirements. ca/ncf