SMART FY2014 Program: SORNA Compliance

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 Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will use SMART FY 14 AWA grant funds to increase the amount of data submitted electronically to its Maryland Sex Offender Registry Unit (MDSORU); increase the accuracy of records sent to the National Sex Offender Registry by MDSORU to ensure that all data entered is reviewed for accuracy; and remain confident that they can continue to be substantially compliant with SORNA requirements. ca/ncf