Yakama Nation Continuation of the Sex Offender Registration Program

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.

With SMART FY 14 AWA grant funds, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation will ensure protection of all individuals within the boundaries of the Reservation by maintaining and enhancing the current implemented registration, monitoring, and apprehending of sex offenders. The Tribes will complete staff hiring of two additional enforcement officers and provide equipment and training; purchase necessary polygraph equipment for officers; and increase training of multi-disciplinary approaches to community education and notification to include professional staff and tribal leadership training. ca/ncf