SLED 2014 Support for Adam Walsh

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.

In an effort to overcome past difficulties in remaining compliant with SORNA requirements, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) will use SMART FY 14 AWA grant funds to alter and improve current programming. Specifically, SLED seeks to enhance infrastructure through attaining a new AFIS system, employ three positions to assist in ensuring that all data is contained in each registered sex offender's record using OffenderWatch®, and to develop a training program for law enforcement personnel responsible for sex offender activities. ca/ncf