The SMART Office will hold its 2019 National Symposium July 17-18 in Chicago. This year, the symposium will focus on law enforcement applications of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, registration and notification issues and prosecution of sexual offense crimes.
???The National Symposium is an excellent opportunity to increase your knowledge and understanding of sex offender investigation, prosecution, registration and community notification, as well as ways to further SORNA implementation in your jurisdiction,??? said Laura L. Rogers, Director of the SMART Office. ???Registering and tracking sex offenders is an essential tool in jurisdictions??? efforts to help their citizens stay safe. As more jurisdictions move closer to implementation, the more we can weave a seamless web of registration and notification across the country.???
The symposium will feature several plenary sessions, including one on the psychopathy of sex offenders and one focused on using analytical data to assist with sex offender compliance featuring the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
In addition, sessions will cover information sharing, technology solutions, resources for registry officials (safety, training, retention), case law developments, international travel requirements, implementing SORNA in Indian Country, different approaches to implementing the SORNA standards, and myths and misconceptions related to SORNA.
The symposium is open to the public, though attendees must register ahead of time. Jurisdictions that have Adam Walsh Act Grant Program funds are encouraged to use those funds to attend the symposium. The SMART Office anticipates 500 participants.
The SMART Office National Symposium was last held in 2016 in Kansas City, on the 10th anniversary of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.
Registration and hotel information will be announced in March. For more information, visit smart.gov or check our Facebook page at @DOJSMART.