Indian Tribes, Nations and Pueblos Implementing SORNA
Under the Adam Walsh Act, all federally recognized Indian tribes are entitled to elect whether to carry out the sex offender registration and notification requirements of the Act or delegate the functions to the state(s) in which the tribal land is located, unless the tribe is subject to the criminal jurisdiction of a state under 18 U.S.C. § 1162 (34 U.S.C. § 20929).
There are currently 137 tribal jurisdictions that have substantially implemented SORNA's requirements.
SORNA Implementation
Publications and Guides to Assist Tribes with Substantial Implementation
Guide to SORNA Implementation in Indian Country
This guide assists tribal jurisdictions with implementing SORNA. It provides a comprehensive overview of SORNA’s requirements and serves as a job aid for sex offender registration personnel in Indian Country. It includes step-by-step directions on completing relevant tasks and has links to helpful templates and guidance documents.
Model Tribal Sex Offender Registration Code
The Model Tribal Sex Offender Registration Code (2017 Revised Version) assists tribes in developing and updating existing sex offender registration legislation to meet SORNA requirements.
SORNA Implementation Policy and Procedures Guide
The SORNA Implementation Policy and Procedures Guide assists tribes with creating their own policy and procedures manuals for their sex offender registration and notification programs. The guide is a useful starting point for a tribe to develop policies and procedures.
SORNA Implementation Tools
Tribal Training & Technical Assistance
The SMART Office can provide training and technical assistance to tribes, nations and pueblos working toward or maintaining substantial implementation. Typical methods of assistance include onsite assistance, conference calls, webinars and training events. If your tribal jurisdiction is interested in receiving assistance, please fill out this request form and email it to [email protected] or call 202-514-4689 for more information.
Tribal Access Program
Tribes implementing SORNA are required to submit sex offender biometrics and biographical data into various federal databases. To help facilitate this, the U.S. Department of Justice through funding from the SMART Office launched the Tribal Access Program (TAP). TAP provides tribes access to national crime information systems, including the National Sex Offender Registry, allowing tribes to exchange critical data for both criminal and civil purposes.
Procedure for Delegation
The Procedure for Delegation of Tribal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Responsibilities describes how the SMART Office determines that a tribe is unable to implement SORNA.