U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Statistics Summary of State Sex Offender Registry Dissemination Procedures, Update 1999 Individual State Summaries Devon B. Adams August 1999, NCJ 177620 The Factsheet to which this information is an addendum is available from www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/sssordp.htm. This report is one of a series. Previous editions are available and more recent editions may be available. To view a list of all in the series go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pubalp2.htm#registries. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Alabama Responsible Agencies: Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: All Alabama law enforcement or criminal justice agencies with access to criminal history information have access to sex offenders information through the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC). For sexual offenders qualifying for community notification, the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) sends a "flier" containing a photo and detailed information on the offender to the local law enforcement agency where offender resides. The local agency duplicates the flier and mails it to everyone within a specified geographic area. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, the Alabama SOR has no specified procedures for affirmative notification to schools or organizations other than the community notification requirements outlined in the following section. Procedures for Public Access: When an offender qualifies for community notification (those convicted of rape, sodomy, sexual torture, sexual abuse, and child sexual abuse and incest, when the victim is under 18 years old and the offender is over 20 years old), fliers with the offender's photo are mailed to everyone living within 1,000ft. of his home in cities, 1,500ft. in towns, and 2,000ft. in rural areas. Citizens also may review fliers at local law enforcement agencies. Internet Website: An Internet website for the sex offender registry can be found at Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Alaska Responsible Agency: Alaska State Troopers Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Copies of the lists for 1) registered sex offenders, 2)unregistered sex offenders and 3) noncompliant registered sex offenders are sent to local police departments every 2-3 months through the regular mail, or where E-mail address is available. Dissemination to criminal justice agencies also occurs through the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN). Almost all Alaska criminal justice agencies have online access to APSIN, and sex offender data/status will be provided for any "person query." Agencies with access to the Internet can query and sort SORCR data by geographic location and view mugshots. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, no special or affirmative notification of schools or other organizations is reported. (See Procedures for Public Access, below.) Procedures for Public Access: The public has access to information on registrants through Alaska's Internet site. All offenders required to register, whether they are registered, have never registered, registered but are out-of-compliance, or in jail, will be on the Internet The public may also obtain information from the local police station, and they may receive hard copy reports on individual sex offenders through the SORCR office in response to individual requests. Internet Website: Yes, began June, 1997; now averaging over 1,200 queries per day. The website has been visited approximately 180,000 times since 6/23/98. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Arizona Responsible Agency: Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Information on registered sexual offenders is disseminated to criminal justice agencies through Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) in response to criminal history queries. As of 5/99, detailed information on the offender, his risk assessment, and the offense summary is maintained by the Sex Offender Community and Notification Unit for use by and with local law enforcement agencies in the community notification program. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The Arizona community notification program focuses on "neighborhoods" at risk, rather than specific organizations or victim types. There is a State-level Community Notification Coordinator, but the local law enforcement agency determines the level of notification, and the geographic "neighborhood" to be notified, based on a review of the individual's risk assessment. Level 1 (low risk) requires minimal notification, level 2 (medium risk) gives the local agency wide discretion on the extent of notification, while level 3 (high risk) requires extensive notification within the "neighborhood" at risk. Procedures for Public Access: As of May 1999, there is no automatic public access to SOR information. Each law enforcement agency keeps a notebook on registered offenders residing in that jurisdiction. Citizens may ask to see the file and usually have to demonstrate a need to know. Access is at the discretion of the law enforcement agency, with a log kept of who views the file. Internet Website: New legislation mandates the Department of Public Safety to develop an Internet website with information on all level 2 and 3 offenders. The anticipated date of completion is January 2000. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Arkansas Responsible Agency: Arkansas Crime Information Center Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Through the statewide Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) network, all data provided on the Sex Offender Registration form and entered into the SOR are available to all law enforcement agencies within the State. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Community notification is conducted by local law enforcement agencies in accordance with guidelines developed by the Child Abuse, Rape, and Domestic Violence Commission. Notification to organizations, schools, and institutions is made for offenders determined to be medium (level 2) or high (level 3) risk. Procedures for Public Access: As of 5/99 there are no procedures for general public access to information from the Arkansas Sex Offender Registry system. As noted, community notification is conducted by local law enforcement; in some cases schools may notify parents of information received from a law enforcement agency. Internet Website: As of January 1999, the ACIC website provided information on the Arkansas law, the offenses requiring registration, and a numerical listing of the number of registered offenders in a given county, but did not post data on individual offenders. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: California Responsible Agency: California Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Justice Information Services Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: SOR information is available to all California law enforcement and criminal justice agencies through the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) or to those with access to Violent Crime Information Network (VCIN) workstations. Out- of-State agencies can access SOR information through a criminal history query. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Notification is the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency where the offender resides. Legislation specifies the conditions for limited notification to organizations or to specific individuals or for broader public advisories and notification on high-risk sex offenders. Procedures for Public Access: Public access to SOR information is provided in two ways. California has a CD-ROM and the State operates a 900 phone number of serious and high risk registered sex offenders. Adults living in California (other than registered sex offenders) may view the CD-ROM at their local enforcement agency at no fee (the names of those viewing CD-ROM are maintained for 5 years). Nationwide, adults may reach the Sex Offender Identification Line at 1-900-463-0400. There is a $10 fee for this service. Internet Website: No. California does not have sex offender registrants on a website. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Colorado Responsible Agency: Colorado Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Information from the State's electronic SOR is available to all Colorado law enforcement and criminal justice agencies online through the Colorado Crime Information Center (CCIC). Out-of-State agencies may send an NLETS AM message for a search of the registry. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Notification is the responsibility of local law enforcement agencies which may notify organizations or individuals "for reasons of public protection." Legislation does not mandate affirmative notification to specific organizations or institutions. Procedures for Public Access: The public has access to information on registered sexual offenders only through the local law enforcement agency where the offender is currently registered. In Colorado, the SOR information is considered a public record. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Connecticut Responsible Agency: Connecticut Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: As of October 1, 1998, registry information from the new statewide sex offender registry became available to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, in as much as these agencies are required to maintain copies of sex offender registrations for their jurisdictions respectively and make them available to the public. The statewide registry is maintained centrally by the Department of Public Safety, with information disseminated to the law enforcement agency for the municipality of residence of the sex offender. (Prior to October 1, 1998, registries were maintained at the local level only.) In addition, criminal history information is available to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies only by query via the Connecticut On Line Law Enforcement Communications Teleprocessing (COLLECT) system. Sex offender registration information is to be transmitted to the FBI for inclusion in the National Registry. Effective January 1, 1999, the web based sex offender registry became available to all. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Any law enforcement agency, including the Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police and municipal law enforcement agency, is authorized to notify any governmental agency, private organization, or individual of registration information when it is believed that the notification is necessary to protect the public or an individual from a sex offender. This wording became effective with legislation effective October 1, 1998. (In a January 1999 report, a statutorily established Sex Offender Registration Committee recommended interim guidelines for community notification.) Effective January 1, 1999, the web based sex offender registry became available to all. Procedures for Public Access: Under legislation effective October 1, 1998, two procedures for public access were established: (1) a copy of the sex offender registrations became available for public inspection in law enforcement agencies serving the sex offender's residence municipality, and (2) the statewide sex offender registry on the Internet was established, to be available January 1, 1999. Law enforcement agencies must make the copies of the registration information available during business hours; most are available 24 hours a day via dispatcher/clerk offices. The Internet site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Internet Website: The Internet site is located on the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Safety homepage. The site became operational January 1, 1999. The site address is: Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: District of Columbia Responsible Agency: Metropolitan Police Department Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The SOR staff sends the offender's case jacket (hard copy) to the Special Investigation Division which notifies the Commander of the police district where the offender resides, and coordinates any community notification. As of 1/99, this is constrained by the small number of offenders classified as to risk level. (FY '98 NSOR-AP funds sought to develop infrastructure to make SOR database available electronically to authorized users on Metropolitan Police Department Network.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, there were no formal procedures for notification to schools or youth-serving organizations. District of Columbia law permits community or organizational notification only for offenders with formal risk classifications of Level 2 (moderate risk) or Level 3 (high risk), as determined by the court based on the recommendation of expert Sex Offender Advisory Council. As of 1/21/99, only 5 registrants have formal risk classifications. Without assessment and classification, all registrants must be treated as Level 1 (low risk). (FY'98 NSOR-AP plans include developing a database of organizations that qualify for affirmative notification.) Procedures for Public Access: As of 5/99, there was no public access to SOR information. Community notification procedures are being developed by the police department and an interagency task group to reflect new legislation under development and the police department reorganization. As noted, community notification is constrained by the small number of registrants with risk assessments and classified risk levels. Internet Website No. There was no Internet website as of 5/99. There is some discussion of a website under the new legislation being developed, but no decision. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Delaware Responsible Agency: Delaware State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Text information from the SOR is available through Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), accessible to all criminal justice agencies in Delaware. Fingerprints are maintained in State's central AFIS and interfaced to CJIS. There is no central mugshot capability as of 5/99; most agencies take Polaroids and maintain their own mugshot files. By 9/99, CJIS should have central mugshot capability. (Also, a law, signed 4/21/98, requires that SOR registrants be identified by a "Y" on their driver's licenses, with the designation explained on back of license.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Notification of organizations is the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency where the offender resides. Notification measures are based on the offender's assigned risk level which is determined by a risk assessment performed by the State Attorney General's Office and the Sentencing Court. For Tier Two (moderate risk) offenders, notification is at the discretion of the local law enforcement agency. Tier Three (high risk) offenders, the law requires mandatory community notification. The State Police may be involved only when no local agency has jurisdiction. Procedures for Public Access: As of 5/99, public access to SOR information is through the notification program conducted by the local law enforcement agency where the offender resides. For Tier II offenders, notification is at the discretion of the local law enforcement. Community notification is required for Tier III offenders. Notification is conducted in a variety of ways such as; door-to-door, mailings, local media, etc. The public may also view both Tier II and III offenders on the Internet. Local law enforcement agencies also have the discretion to notify any citizen about a specific offender who, they believe, poses a risk to that individual. (See also the driver's license designation noted above.) Internet Website: Yes. The site has photo capability, but as of 5/99 no photos were posted. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Florida Responsible Agency: Florida Department of Law Enforcement Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), which operates the SOR, enters sexual offender and sexual predator data into Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) "hot files," which are accessible to all State law enforcement personnel. When an offender is released from incarceration, a teletype notice is sent to all law enforcement agencies in the county where the offender plans to reside. When the FDLE is notified by the Departments of Corrections (DC) or Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) of the change of address of a registered offender, the FDLE transmits it to law enforcement agencies and updates FCIC hot file. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Organizational notification is a local responsibility. For those offenders classified as "sexual predators" (determined by a court finding, based on type and/or number of offenses), the sheriff or chief law enforcement officer of the jurisdiction where the predator will reside is required to notify the public (and organizations) "in a manner deemed appropriate" in addition to the mandatory notification to all schools and daycares within a one-mile radius of a sexual predator's residence within 48 hours of law enforcement's notification from the SOR. For other registered sexual offenders, notification is at the discretion of the local law enforcement agency. Procedures for Public Access: The general public has access to SOR information through the FDLE Internet Website, , through a toll-free phone line (1-888-357-7332), and through fliers and leaflets produced for community notification on sexual predators. Internet Website: Yes. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Hawaii Responsible Agency: Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Law enforcement and criminal justice agencies can access SOR data through searches of the criminal history files maintained by Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC). To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Public information on registered sex offenders is available to schools, and organizations serving children, the elderly, the mentally ill, or other vulnerable populations at the HCJDC office and at main county police stations. Procedures for Public Access: Hawaii's legislation specifies the specific items of SOR data that are to be accessible to the public. Public record registration data is currently available at the main county police departments and at the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center (HCJDC). This information is also integrated into the Criminal History Public Access facility, which can be used by general public for background checks via various search options. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Idaho Responsible Agency: Idaho Department of Law Enforcement Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The text content of the SOR is available online to all criminal justice agencies with access to the Idaho Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (ILETS). When a law enforcement officer makes a driver's license inquiry or a wanted person inquiry (State or National), ILETS will cross-check the automated SOR database. (FY'98 NSOR-AP application sought support for a series of seminars for the criminal justice community on registration, reporting, and access requirements of new program.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) makes affirmative notification to the Departments of Education and Health & Welfare and provides schools and organizations working with youth, women and/or vulnerable populations with free public access to statewide lists and responses to individual inquiries. (FY'98 NSOR-AP application sought funds for seminars to inform the educational community and the general public about access, to and use, of registry information.) Procedures for Public Access: Citizen may inquire whether an individual is a registered sex offender, by submitting a written inquiry to the Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) or local sheriff, including the subject's name and his date of birth or address. Citizens can also request lists of registrants by zip code or county through either DLE or local sheriff. Name checks and lists are $5 per query. Citizens may request a photograph of a registrant from DLE for $10 per request. DLE will issue quarterly press releases of offenders not in compliance with SOR requirements for media pick-up. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Illinois Responsible Agency: Illinois State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: SOR information is available online, 24 hours per day, to every Illinois law enforcement agency through the Illinois Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). The status of a specific offender (registered, not registered, conditions of parole/probation, etc.) is immediately available to any agency conducting a routine query, including a traffic stop. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: County Sheriff's and the Chicago Police Department provide quarterly lists of sex offenders to all schools, and child care facilities. The Illinois State Police provides online access to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Local law enforcement agencies developed lists of local organizations that serve children and make sex offender information available to them. By administrative rule, each law enforcement agency must designate a liaison to assist schools, child care facilities, youth groups, and the public regarding access and use of SOR information. Procedures for Public Access: Local law enforcement agencies provide public access to the list of sex offenders residing or working in the county (Cook County is divided into three regions). Any law enforcement agency may, upon its discretion, provide SOR information to any person or entity likely to encounter the sex offender. The Illinois State Police (ISP) also operates an automated victim notification program (at the victim's request, he/she is notified of the offender's release, address changes, death of offender, etc.) Internet Website: Any law enforcement agency may post SOR information and photographs on the Internet. [Legislation with an effective date of July 1, 2000, is awaiting the governor's signature. This legislation mandates the Illinois State Police to establish a website with information and photographs for all sex offenders required to register in Illinois.] Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Indiana Responsible Agency: Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The Sex and Violent Offender Registry (SVOR) data is available to State law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in response to queries, but it is not on a computerized network directly accessible to law enforcement agencies. Agencies also may obtain copies of the updates sent to schools and youth organizations. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The SVOR data and all updates are sent (in hard copy) to all public and private schools, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and their licensees (such as group homes), and to agencies that work with children and have requested copies. The SVOR unit also places copies in all public county libraries. This information contains all four databases. Since July 1, 1994, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) has made SVOR information available on a computer diskette. Procedures for Public Access: The general public has access to SVOR data in hard copy in public libraries throughout the State and on the State of Indiana website on the Internet. Since July 1, 1994, it also has been made available on computer diskette. The SVOR data available to the public does not include street addresses, but does reflect all databases. Internet Website: Yes. The Indiana SVOR is on the Internet at Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Iowa Responsible Agency: Iowa Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The SOR data from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is directly accessible to all law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in the State having access to "Iowa On-line Warrants and Articles System" (IOWA System). To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Legislation effective 7/1/98 states that for registrant classified as "at risk", affirmative public notification may include "notification of agencies or organizations in the community in which the registrant lives, is employed or attends school..." Under both original and amended legislation, the offender receives prior notice of any public notification plans and may appeal. Procedures for Public Access: Current legislation (effective 7/1/98) allows for registry information to be disseminated from sheriff offices and police departments and the identifier used by the requester may be date of birth, social security number or address. Affirmative public notification by a local enforcement agency requires prior authorization by Iowa DPS. Current legislation (effective 7/1/98) allows for citizens to request from the sheriff or local police department a list of registrants in their county classified as "at risk." Internet Website: Information pertaining to the registry is available as of 5/99. Individual offender information is anticipated to be accessible to the public on the Internet in October 1999. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Kansas Responsible Agency: Kansas Office of the Attorney General Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: As of 5/99, the SOR unit conducts notification to law enforcement agencies and prosecutor's offices for offender noncompliance with address change or re- registration requirements. When work on the SOR "hot file" is complete (late 1999), all Kansas criminal justice agencies will have full and direct access to the SOR data. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, affirmative notification to schools and relevant organizations is the responsibility of local law enforcement. Procedures for Public Access: The general public has access to SOR information through an Internet website. Members of the public may also inspect registration records at a local sheriff's office or at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. (The date of commission of specific offenses determines whether an offender's registration information is a public record.) Internet Website: Yes. The Kansas SOR website is operated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Kentucky Responsible Agency: Kentucky State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The SOR data is directly accessible to all criminal justice agencies that are members of the Law Information Network of Kentucky (LINK) which provides access to State "hot files," NCIC, NLETS, and NOAA. While most agencies in large population centers have LINK connectivity, many small or rural agencies do not. The SOR unit disseminates information to these agencies by mail. The sheriffs are notified by the Department of Corrections of all sex offenders and their associated risk assignments released to their jurisdictions. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of July 1998, Kentucky's revised sex offender legislation became effective. This modeled Kentucky's law after the Megan's law and requires the evaluation of all sex offenders released after the effective date of the legislation and the assignment of a risk level either low, moderate, or high. It authorizes the release of information concerning high risk offenders to the general public. It also authorizes the release of information concerning moderate risk offenders to schools and agencies such as daycare centers and other organizations dealing with children, as well as to victim advocacy groups. Statute requires the organization to file a request with the Sheriff of their jurisdiction for notification. Procedures for Public Access: Effective July 1998, the sheriffs are responsible for notifying the general public in their jurisdiction of the "high risk" offender by whatever means they deem applicable. The use of statewide media outlets is authorized as well as any other means that may be made available in the future. Kentucky State Police plan an Internet website with this information. The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives plans to provide free Internet access at as many as possible of the 187 libraries within the State. Internet Website: A website is under development intended to allow public access to information concerning high risk offenders. This site will have sufficient security features in place to allow those law enforcement/criminal justice agencies that currently do not have access to Kentucky's LINK system to access information concerning sex offenders. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Louisiana Responsible Agency: Louisiana State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: As of 5/99, the Office of State Police notifies other law enforcement agencies of SOR data by mail and responds to specific queries, but local law enforcement agencies and individual officers do not have direct access to the information. (FY NSOR-AP funds sought for data processing support in order to link local law enforcement to the Registry through the existing Louisiana Law Enforcement Network, and to fund the Louisiana Supreme Court to provide the capability for the judiciary and law enforcement to query the Registry directly.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, affirmative notification of schools and organizations is at the discretion of the local law enforcement agency where the registrant resides. In addition, community notification provisions require the offender to give notice of the crime for which he was convicted, his name, and his address to the superintendent of the school district where he will reside who, in turn, informs the principal of every school with a one mile radius of the offender's address and the principals of other schools as the superintendent deems appropriate. Other organizations serving children or vulnerable populations may receive notice directly from the offender as he fulfills the community notification requirements described below. Procedures for Public Access: Citizens may make a public records inquiry to the local law enforcement agencies or to the Registry. In addition, individual citizens may be informed directly through community notification provisions that require the offender to give notice of the crime for which he was convicted, his name, and his address to at least one person in every residence or business within a one mile radius of his residence in a rural area and a three square block area in an urban or suburban area; as well as to give notice to the school superintendent (see above); to the landlord, lessor, or owner of the residence or property where he will reside; to publish notice twice in the official journal of the governing authority of the parish where he will reside; and to give any other notice deemed appropriate by the court or the Parole Board. Internet Website: No, as of 5/99. (FY'98 NSOR-AP application requests support to create a web page for the public and to link the web page to the Registry for additions and/or updates.) Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Maine Responsible Agency: Maine State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: As of 5/99, local law enforcement agencies are notified of SOR information by U.S. mail. (FY'98 NSOR-AP funds sought to make the proposed SOR automated database "web-enabled," to allow direct access over the existing Bureau of State Police network to State and local criminal justice agencies, including those of the Penobscot Nation and Passomaquoddy Tribe.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, affirmative notification of schools and organizations is the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency where the offender resides. The Department of Corrections also provides community notification. Procedures for Public Access: As of 5/99, the information in the Maine Registry is based on conviction data and is therefore considered a public record, available to citizens through a request to a State or local law enforcement agency. Internet Website: No, as of 5/99. (FY'98 NSOR-AP funds sought for a "web enabled" automated database that would provide direct access to SOR information for law enforcement agencies and personnel and--separately--direct public access to information on offenders designated as predators or high risk.) Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Maryland Responsible Agency: Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Information is made available to State criminal justice agencies through a notation that the individual is a sex offender placed in the Identification Index (IDENT/INDEX) of the Maryland Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS). Changes of residency are received from parole and probation, local law enforcement agencies, and the registrants. The changes are forwarded to the Sex Offender Registry Unit to update the registry and notify the previous and the current registering agency of the new residency. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: When a child sexual offender registers with a local law enforcement agency, the agency is required to notify the county school superintendent who then notifies school principals. The local law enforcement agency may also notify--as necessary to protect the public interest-- community organizations, religious organizations, or any organization that relates to children or youth. Procedures for Public Access: Written requests for the registry are mailed or faxed to the Sex Offender Registry Unit and responded to by the Sex Offender Registry Unit. Internet Website Yes, but for information only. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services website includes information on the sex offender registration program, procedures for requesting registrant information, and links to the legislation and other relevant programs, but it does not include any offender- specific information. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Massachusetts Responsible Agency: Massachusetts Criminal History Systems Board Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The SOR information is available statewide to law enforcement and criminal justice agencies through the Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), which reaches more than 600 agencies throughout the Commonwealth. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Community notification is conducted by local law enforcement agencies in accordance with guidelines from the State Sex Offender Registry Board (which also classifies offenders). In general, affirmative notification to schools or youth serving organizations may be conducted for Level II (moderate risk) offenders and must be conducted for Level III (high risk) offenders. Procedures for Public Access: There are three procedures by which the general public can have access to SOR data: 1) by a written request to the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) for information on a specific individual, (2) through Community Notification (usually reserved for high risk offenders only), and (3) through an in-person request at the local police department. For in-person requests, if the questioner is 18 years of age or older and gives a reason for the query, information can be obtained on (a) whether a specific individual is a sex offender, (b) whether any sex offenders live or work within 1 mile of a specific address, or (c) whether any sex offenders live or work on a specific street. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Michigan Responsible Agency: Michigan State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: SOR data is accessible through the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) which is available to criminal justice agencies statewide. The Central Registry can notify specific agencies through LEIN, and, through LEIN, a patrol officer initiating a query receives automatic warning that subject may be a registered sex offender. The central SOR also provides all local agencies with listings by zip code of registered offenders in their jurisdictions. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: No affirmative notification is made to organizations. Procedures for Public Access: As of 5/99, listings by zip code of the registered offenders within a jurisdiction are available for inspection by the general public during normal business hours at State Police posts, local law enforcement agencies, and sheriff's departments. Information is also available through the Internet website. Internet Website Yes. and Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Minnesota Responsible Agency: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Offenders are registered through community corrections probation officers in Minnesota's 87 counties or through Department of Corrections (DOC) staff when the offender serves a prison term. All registering officials send the forms to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) of DPS which manages the SOR. The BCA notifies a local law enforcement agency when an offender is moving to their jurisdiction and asks that they verify the offender's address. DOC sends results of prerelease risk assessment to BCA and to the local law enforcement agency. (FY'98 NSOR-AP funds sought to provide access to SOR data for officers inquiring into "hot" files.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Any notification is conducted by local law enforcement agency based on offender's risk level. (Offender's risk level--on offenders being released from prison only--is assessed prior to release by expert panel convened by DOC. Assessments are not conducted for offenders who are put on probation, juvenile offenders, or other offenders with nonprison sentences.) Affirmative notification to schools, youth-serving organizations, etc., is normally done for Level II (moderate risk) or Level III (high risk) offenders. Procedures for Public Access: The Minnesota POST developed a model policy on community notification procedures. All law enforcement agencies in the State are required to have a formal policy on community notification. In general, for Level I (low risk) offenders, information is shared only with law enforcement, victims and witnesses. For Level II (moderate risk) offenders, schools, daycare centers, or other organizations are notified. For Level III (high risk) offenders, thorough community notification, including community meetings, is conducted. The DOC provides an offender fact sheet with photo. Internet Website: Yes, but not with information on offenders. Minnesota Department of Public Safety website has the legislation, forms, and information on the Registry program, but does not mount information on individual offenders. The Department of Corrections (DOC) plans to post Level III (absconding offenders, offenders who move frequently or who are in violation of the registration law) on a website on August 1, 1999. The DOC currently has a secured website for law enforcement and corrections with detainer information. Agents and police may contact the BCA Registry via E-mail: Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Mississippi Responsible Agency: Mississippi Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: All SOR information is open to law enforcement agencies, and is made available by mail, fax, or phone, but not through electronic means. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, there is no affirmative notification required to schools or youth serving organizations concerning the release or residence of a convicted sexual offender. Law enforcement agencies are authorized, however, to release information necessary for public protection. Procedures for Public Access: Members of the general public can request access to State registry information or to the information maintained by the sheriff's department at the local level. Law enforcement agencies are authorized to release SOR information when the release is necessary for public protection, and the law directs both local sheriffs and the DPS to "make available to any person upon request the name, address, place of employment, crime for which convicted, and date of conviction for any registrant." Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Missouri Responsible Agency: Missouri State Highway Patrol Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The SOR offender list is available through the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) which also contains the "hot files" for the State and has a direct connection to the Criminal History Records System. All criminal justice agencies in the State have access to the SOR lists through the MULES telecommunication network. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Affirmative notification of schools and other youth serving organizations is a local law enforcement responsibility. Procedures for Public Access: Upon request, a local law enforcement agency will provide a complete list of the sexual offenders registered within that agency's jurisdiction to any member of the public. Internet Website: No. As of 5/99, Missouri does not have any SOR registrants listed on a State website. However, the FY'98 NSOR-AP application states Missouri's interest in both an Internet site and using local touch-screen Kiosks to automate offender self-registration. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Montana Responsible Agency: Montana Department of Justice Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The agency taking the offender's initial registration sends the information to the State Department of Justice (DOJ) and to the local law enforcement agency for the jurisdiction where the offender resides. The DOJ notifies the local law enforcement agency of any subsequent address changes. Criminal justice agencies have no direct access to SOR as of 5/99, access is planned for 9/99. The new SOR system will be available statewide through the enhanced Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN), other States may also make sex offender queries through this transaction. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: All names and addresses on the Montana Sex Offender Registry are public criminal justice information. Affirmative organizational and community notification is a local law enforcement responsibility. For Level 2 (moderate risk) offenders, law enforcement agencies may notify the public, the victim, and "any agency, organization, or group servicing persons who have characteristics similar to those of a previous victim." For Level 3 (high risk) offenders, the notification is mandatory. Procedures for Public Access: Community notification is conducted by local law enforcement agencies. It is discretionary for Level 2 offenders and mandatory for Level 3 offenders. The State Department of Justice (DOJ ) is currently developing policies for public access to SOR data in conjunction with new policies for public access to criminal history records. Internet Website: No as of 5/99. However, a website is a goal the Montana Department of Justice is working toward. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Nebraska Responsible Agency: Nebraska State Patrol Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: As of 5/99, Nebraska law enforcement agencies, including those of Indian Tribes, have no direct online access to SOR data. They must make a specific request for any information desired from the SOR unit. (FY'98 NSOR-AP funds sought to provide direct online access for law enforcement personnel through a "shadow" database linked to Nebraska Law Enforcement Telecommunications System [NBLETS].) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Legislation passed in late Spring of 1998 directs the Nebraska State Patrol to adopt regulations for three levels of notification to organizations and the general public, based on a formal risk assessment of the sexual offender's likelihood of becoming a repeat offender. Procedures for Public Access: As of 5/99, SOR information is provided to law enforcement, schools and daycare centers. As of 4/98, the notification method(s) have not yet been determined, but face to face meetings, media releases, phone notification and contracting with private sector are all under discussion. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Nevada Responsible Agency: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety Nevada Highway Patrol Division and Nevada Parole and Probation Division Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: When the central registry receives a registration notice, it notifies the local law enforcement agency where the offender will reside. When the central registry receives a notice of a change of address, it notifies the local law enforcement agencies at both the new location and the jurisdiction the registrant is leaving. As of 5/99, the SOR dissemination to local agencies is provided primarily through the TRAK System, but on occasion by mail or fax. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The local law enforcement agency where the registrant resides conducts the notification of schools and of religious and youth organizations likely to encounter the offender for both Tier 2 (moderate risk) and Tier 3 (high risk) offenders. All community notification proceeds under guidelines developed by the State Attorney General with input from a State Advisory Council. Procedures for Public Access: Citizens may submit by-name queries about individuals to the Central SOR. For Tier 3 (high risk) offenders, the law enforcement agency where the offender resides notifies not only other law enforcement agencies, schools, and youth organizations, but also the general public "through means designed to reach members of the public likely to encounter the sex offender." Additional provisions apply for those who committed sexual offenses against minors. Internet Website: No, not as of 5/99. (FY'98 NSOR-AP application describes planned website using TRAK imaging capability to facilitate public access to the SOR.) Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: New Hampshire Responsible Agency: New Hampshire State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: As of 5/99, the State SOR notifies local law enforcement agencies when an offender has indicated he plans to move into their jurisdiction or when an offender is in noncompliant status. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, New Hampshire law permits a local law enforcement agency to notify community organizations where an offender plans to reside only if the offender has been convicted of aggravated sexual assault against a child under the age of 13. Organizations that may be notified include schools, daycare centers, youth groups, summer camps, libraries, and similar youth serving groups. The New Hampshire legislature is, as of Spring 1998, considering modifications to its statute to bring it into compliance with the Jacob Wetterling Act, the Pam Lychner Act, and Megan's Law. Procedures for Public Access: As of 5/99, access to SOR data is limited by statute to law enforcement officials and their authorized designees, with the limited organizational notification noted in preceding section. As noted, the New Hampshire legislature is considering modifications to bring the statute into compliance with Megan's Law, Jacob Wetterling Act, and Pam Lychner Act amendments. Exception - a public access list is published monthly by SOR to local law enforcement agencies of those sex offenders who have been convicted of the following crimes where the victim is under the prescribed age: RSA 632-A:2 (under 13); 632-A:3(under 13); 645:1,II (under 16); 639:3,III (under 16); 649-A:3 (under 16); 169- B:41,II (under 17); 633:1(under 18); 633:2 (under 18); 633:3 (under 18); 645:2 (under 18); 650:2,II (under 18). The local law enforcement agency can disseminate this list to any member of the public that requests it. The information released is the offender's name, address, crime committed, court of conviction, and date of conviction. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: New Jersey Responsible Agency: New Jersey State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Sex offender registry information is maintained by the State Police State Bureau of Identification (SBI), and is available to all criminal justice agencies that have access to the New Jersey Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and/or the FBI Interstate Identification Index (III) System. Registered offenders' files in the Master Name Index (MNI) are flagged, and an officer making a query can move from the MNI to the SOR files. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Since October 1994, notification concerning offenders assessed as low risk has been given only to victim(s) and law enforcement agencies likely to encounter that offender. For offenders assessed as moderate risk, schools and religious and youth-serving organizations also are notified. For offenders determined to be high risk, community notification is required. (See following section on Risk Assessment procedures.) Procedures for Public Access: Since October 1994, community notification has been conducted for Level 3 (high risk) sexual offenders. Risk levels are determined through use of the Registrant Risk Assessment Scale, developed by mental health and legal experts, and supplemented by a detailed manual explaining criteria and weighting and giving examples. For offenders assessed as high risk, the local law enforcement agency conducts community notification, tailoring it to those members of the public likely to encounter offender. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: New Mexico Responsible Agency: New Mexico Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: All law enforcement and criminal justice agencies in the State have access to SOR data through the State's Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), both in response to a request for a specific individual's criminal history record or in searches of the SOR database. If the central SOR unit receives notice from an out-of-State agency that a qualifying offender is moving to New Mexico, the unit staff notify the appropriate local law enforcement agency. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Effective July 1, 1999, sex offender information for persons convicted of certain sex offenses that were committed on or after July 1, 1999 will be available to the public. Procedures for Public Access: Effective July 1, 1999, sex offender information for persons convicted of certain sex offenses that were committed on or after July 1, 1999 will be available to the public. Internet Website: No, the DPS will not have a website to provide sex offender registration information. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: New York Responsible Agency: New York Division of Criminal Justice Services Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) mails the offender's registration data and photo to the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the offender's residence and also to the agency that arrested the offender. The DCJS mails relevant agencies notices of change of address or of any noncompliance by an offender. State and local police agencies can phone queries to the SOR unit and receive a phone response. (FY'98 NSOR-AP funds sought to develop, on the statewide police records management system, a tracking component for high risk registrants.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Community notification is at the discretion of the relevant local law enforcement agency, based on the offender's risk assessment level (RAL). The RAL also determines the amount and scope of information released. Schools and organizations may be notified about level 2 (moderate risk) or 3 (high risk) offenders. As of 4/98, ongoing litigation and a temporary restraining order (TRO) stringently limit dissemination when the offense occurred before January 21, 1996. Procedures for Public Access: The local law enforcement agency has discretion for notification to any "entities with vulnerable populations" concerning offenders at risk levels 2 and 3. The State provides public access, regardless of risk level, through a 900 telephone line (with a fee of $5.00/call) and semi-annually publishes a subdirectory of Level 3 (high risk) offenders that is distributed to local law enforcement agencies, and available to the public in those local law enforcement agency offices. As of 4/98, the 900 phone line and the published subdirectory both operate within constraints of the temporary restraining order. Internet Website: Yes. This site provides information pertaining to access only, offender specific information is not included. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: North Carolina Responsible Agency: North Carolina Office of the Attorney General Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Sheriffs can enter and receive information through an automated statewide Sex Offender and Sexual Predator Registration File. Local law enforcement agencies can also search the system by name or location. An automated notification is sent to the resident county sheriff's computer when a sex offender is released from prison and whenever an offender changes residence to a new county. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Sex offender registration information and the registry are "public record information" and open for public inspection. A copy of the full registry can be provided to anyone in response to a written request and payment of a fee. Procedures for Public Access: Free public access to SOR information is available on the Internet. Citizens can also obtain a copy of the statewide registry by making a written request to State's Division of Criminal Information (DCI) and paying a fee, or obtain a copy of a countywide registry by making a written request to the appropriate sheriff and paying a fee. Internet Website: Yes. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: North Dakota Responsible Agency: North Dakota Office of the Attorney General Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Registration data is sent to criminal justice agencies throughout the State in hard copy. (FY'98 NSOR-AP seeks funds to make SOR information available online through restricted Internet access a website accessible to law enforcement only and through NLETS network.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The list of registered offenders is a confidential record in North Dakota. Information from the list must be released by local law enforcement agencies to the public as needed for the protection of the public. As of 5/99, local law enforcement agencies and an ad hoc committee are working on guidelines for organization and community notification. Procedures for Public Access: The list of registered offenders is a confidential record, but local law enforcement agencies must release information from the list to the public if the agency determines that the offender is a risk to the public and disclosure is necessary for public protection. Disclosure of "non-registration information" (from criminal history records) is also permitted. As of 5/99, work is underway to develop guidelines for risk assessment and community notification procedures. Internet Website: No, not for public access, as of 5/99. (FY'98 NSOR-AP application proposes restricted Internet access for law enforcement only.) Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Ohio Responsible Agency: Ohio Office of the Attorney General Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Ohio categorizes registrants as: sexual predators (SP), habitual sex offenders (HSO) subject to community notification, habitual sex offenders (HSO) not subject to community notification, and sexually-oriented offenders (SOO). Paper reports are sent to each sheriff: 1)quarterly on current, in compliance registrants; 2)monthly on SOO's and HSO's not subject to community notification who are out-of-compliance for 21 days or more; and SP's and HSO's subject to notification, who are out-of- compliance for 21 days or more. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: For SP's or HSO's subject to notification, the local sheriff notifies the following organizations in writing: the head of the public children's service agency, the superintendents of relevant boards of education, the hiring officers of chartered nonpublic schools, the heads of preschool programs, the administrators or providers of daycare centers, and the presidents and heads of institutions of higher education. The specified geographical notification area is the school district. Procedures for Public Access: For SP's and HSO's subject to notification, the local sheriff notifies in writing all occupants of residences adjacent to the offender's place of residence, and additional neighbors within any category the Attorney General rules a "specified geographical notification area." Generally registration information the local sheriff has on SP's, HSO's, subject to notification, SOO's, and HSO's is public record open to inspection by citizens. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Oklahoma Responsible Agency: Oklahoma Department of Corrections Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Copies of the complete SOR roster are sent by mail to all district attorney's offices, and all State and local law enforcement agencies at least every six months, but generally more frequently. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: In Oklahoma, as of 5/99, affirmative notification of organizations is limited to notice about habitual offenders required to register every 90 days. It is carried out by local law enforcement agencies. Procedures for Public Access: The Oklahoma SOR data is considered a public record. Citizens can write, phone, or fax a query about a specific individual to the central SOR unit and get a response. Members of the public also can view SOR files in the DOC's Oklahoma City office. Since November 1, 1998, the DOC makes hard copies of full registry available to the public for a fee (to cover copying costs), and citizens can view the registry files for their jurisdiction at their local law enforcement agency. Internet Website: The placement of the SOR on the DOC website is planned for late 1999, early 2000. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Oregon Responsible Agency: Oregon State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Records are available to law enforcement personnel throughout the State through the Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS), a statewide database information system. LEDS is searchable by name and date of birth, but it does not contain photos or allow for parameter searches. (FY'98 NSOR-AP funds sought to provide photos, fuller information, and more search capabilities in new registry system.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Any organizational notification is the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency where the offender resides in conjunction with the probation or parole officer supervising the offender. As of 5/99, affirmative notification is limited to offenders classified as sexual predators. Legislative changes relating to public and organizational access to SOR data are being proposed for the 1999 legislative session. Procedures for Public Access: Regarding community notification, while the offender is under supervision by a corrections agency the corrections agency is responsible for conducting the notification, provided the offender has been determined to be predatory. If the offender is off supervision then law enforcement is responsible for notifying the community, provided the offender has been determined to be predatory. Legislation to increase public access is being proposed for the 1999 Oregon legislative session. Internet Website: The public will have a "look only" access. Criminal justice agencies will be allowed to view all information OSP has on file regarding Oregon sex offenders through a password protected and encrypted website. The agencies will be able to run queries to develop subsets of offenders with like characteristics. The agencies will be allowed to run lists of noncompliant offenders, read background information, view current photos, past photos, past addresses and place the offender's current location on area maps of the State. OSP is also looking into having agencies complete sex offender registrations online and E-mail them to the SOR unit. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Pennsylvania Responsible Agency: Pennsylvania State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Dissemination to State and municipal police is through Sexual Offender Fliers and via uniscope messages using the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network (CLEAN). The information is available to all law enforcement, although the SOR database cannot be accessed directly through CLEAN. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: State and municipal police conduct notifications for out- of-State offenders subject to notification. The central SOR unit prepares the notification fliers, and local, State, and municipal police personnel notify qualifying child and youth service agencies; public, private and parochial schools; daycare centers and preschool programs; and institutions of higher learning. The procedures are established by State law, State Police regulations, and municipal police regulations. Procedures for Public Access: Community notification is conducted by the appropriate State or municipal law enforcement agency for out-of- State offenders subject to notification. The State Police prepare the flier, and the local State police or municipal department notifies qualifying neighbors, and maintains records of those notified. Community meetings may be held. Individual citizens or representatives of the media may request a specific flier by appearing in person at the local State or municipal agency and requesting the information. "Blanket" requests for information on multiple offenders are referred to the State Police SOR unit. [A June 30, 1999 Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision found the Sexually Violent Predator provisions of Pennsylvania's Megan's Law to be "...violative of the procedural due process guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment." All provisions of Megan's Law pertaining to Sexually Violent Predators were struck from the law. As a result of this decision, information concerning individuals who have previously been designated as Sexually Violent Predators will no longer be made available to the public. This includes child and youth service agencies, public, private and parochial schools, daycare centers and preschool programs, and institutions of higher learning.] Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Rhode Island Responsible Agency: Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The SOR data is accessible statewide to law enforcement agencies through the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (RILETS). To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The Attorney General has overall responsibility for promulgating and amending community notification guidelines under the Administrative Procedures Act. The Parole Board determines the level of notification based on an assessment of the offender's risk of reoffense. The local law enforcement agency carries out notification based on a specific plan and is under the Attorney General guidelines. Organizational notification is mandatory for Level II (moderate risk) and Level III (high risk) offenders who are not in residential treatment facilities. Procedures for Public Access: For Risk Level II (moderate risk) offenders, schools, daycare, and other organizations that serve people whom the offender might victimize are notified. For schools and daycare centers, law enforcement must notify each parent. For Risk Level III (high risk) offenders, the local law enforcement agency may notify individual members of the community, establishments, and organizations, and use a variety of methods to achieve the result including the use of fact sheets, fliers, news releases, advertisements, computerized access to fact sheet information, and/or public access to fact sheets at agency offices. (Offenders subject to notification are so informed and have right to judicial review.) Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: South Carolina Responsible Agency: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Text information is available statewide to all criminal justice agencies with access to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, affirmative notification is the responsibility of the county sheriff where the offender lives and is to be conducted in the interests of public safety and preventing criminal activity. Legislation effective Summer 1998 specifies that for "persons adjudicated delinquent in family court" for certain nonviolent/less serious offenses, information may be released only to schools and other relevant organizations. Procedures for Public Access As of 5/99, local SOR information is open to public inspection upon a request to the county sheriff. Requests must be made in writing and include the name of the requestor and the name or address of the person about whom information is sought. SLED also may respond to written requests for registry lists by zip code, county, or the full State. Internet Website: Yes as of 5/99. (FY'98 NSOR-AP application provides funds for website development for the South Carolina SOR.) As of 9/98, the South Carolina Attorney General's website contained text data from the SLED Sex Offender Registry. Currently the website contains the names and addresses of all convicted sex offenders as reported by SLED. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: South Dakota Responsible Agency: South Dakota Office of the Attorney General Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: South Dakota states its registered sex offender automated database is accessible to all criminal justice entities nationwide instantly through standard telecommunication formats. Intrastate access is through the South Dakota Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (SDLETS), available to law enforcement agencies on 24-hour basis. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: No procedures for affirmative notification to organizations are specified. Names of school or child welfare employees or potential employees may be submitted to a law enforcement agency for a sexual offender records check. Procedures for Public Access: The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) sexual offender registration file is available to all law enforcement agencies on a twenty-four hour basis, but is not open to inspection by the public. However, the registration records collected by local law enforcement agencies and the registration lists provided to local law enforcement by DCI are public records and may be viewed at local law enforcement offices. Internet Website: No. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Tennessee Responsible State Agency: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Text information is available to all criminal justice agencies through the State's law enforcement telecommunications network. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) notifies the applicable local law enforcement agency of the offender's places of residence and employment and changes of address. If there is evidence of a violation (such as verification forms not being returned), TBI notifies the district attorney of the jurisdiction. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The TBI or a local law enforcement agency may not release relevant information deemed necessary to protect the public concerning a specific sexual offender. This is due to a Federal Court ruling from the Middle District of Tennessee that prohibits the notification provisions of the registry from taking effect, other than to law enforcement agencies. Procedures for Public Access: For offenses committed prior to 7/1/97, the registry information is confidential and is released only to law enforcement officials. For offenses committed on or after 7/1/97, the registry information is by statute a public record. However, the Federal Court for Middle District of Tennessee has held that Tennessee's provisions for notification violate offenders' due process rights, and that discretionary notification must be preceded by a hearing. Internet Website Yes. The website is operated by the Tennessee Internet Crime Information Center (TCIC), but a Federal Court Order precludes releasing registry information on individual offenders on the website at this time. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Texas Responsible State Agency: Texas Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Local law enforcement agencies can access the SOR database through a specialized Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) inquiry issue via the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (TLETS). Out- of-State law enforcement agencies have access to information through NCIC. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The local law enforcement agency for the jurisdiction where the offender resides provides written notice to the superintendent of public schools and to the administrators of private primary and secondary schools concerning any registered sexual offender whose victim was under the age of 17. Procedures for Public Access: Registry data is public information, but the street address, Social Security Number, phone number, driver's license number, and photo are not released. Newspaper notification is made on adult offenders only for convictions or adjudications on or after 9/1/95 where the victim was under the age of 17. Citizens may write to their local law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) requesting listings of registered offenders. The preparation of a CD-ROM was under discussion as of 4/98. Internet Website: In January, 1999, SOR data was available (for a fee) on the Conviction Records Database of Texas DPS website: Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Utah Responsible State Agency: Utah Department of Corrections Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Department of Corrections (DOC) employees can access the SOR database through a statewide Wide Area Network. All probation and parole offices in the State have access to the "sex offender management I-track" which includes the SOR database. (FY'98 NSOR-AP application seeks support to provide for law enforcement access to the enhanced SOR database via the Internet.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Since the creation of the Utah Sex Offender Registry in 1987, the State Office of Education has been notified of all registered sex offenders who have reported employment within the education system. Effective 7/1/98, registration data became public record information and may be used by local law enforcement in affirmative notification to schools and youth organizations. However, online access to the SOR database, through the DOC's I-Track, will be given only to law enforcement agencies and the State Office of Education, and that process is not yet complete. Procedures for Public Access: As of 7/1/98, some registry data is public information. Citizens may write to the DOC's SOR unit for detailed information on registered offenders by zip code(s). There is a limit of two zip codes that may be queried. Limited information is also available on the Internet. Internet Website: In July 1998, SOR data for registered offenders convicted after 4/29/96, was mounted on the DOC website. By yearend, however, legal issues and constraints precluded adding new offenders. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Vermont Responsible State Agency: Vermont Department of Public Safety Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: As of 5/99, no automated links exist between the SOR and Vermont's intrastate law enforcement network, the NLETS, or NCIC. All requests to the SOR for data or dissemination are processed manually. (FY'98 NSOR- AP application presents plans to move SOR to the State's upgraded law enforcement message switching computer system and will permit adding the SOR to statewide "hot files.") To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Vermont registry information is confidential. It may be given to law enforcement agencies for law enforcement purposes, to State or Federal agencies for confidential background checks, and to employers and school districts authorized to request Vermont Crime Information Center (VCIC) data for public protection purposes, as well as to the offender for review purposes. Legislation to expand community and organizational notification was introduced in legislature in January 1999, but no action was taken. Procedures for Public Access: Information contained in the registry is not accessible to the public directly. The registry does inform local law enforcement agencies when a registrant moves into their jurisdictions. The local agencies are authorized to release registry information to the public in the interests of public safety. A bill to provide for community notification was introduced into the State Legislature in January 1999, but no action was taken. Internet Website: Yes, but the Vermont website provides only information on the registry. No data is posted on registered offenders. The website has a description of the VCIC SOR, the registration requirements, and a link to the text of the law. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Virginia Responsible State Agency: Virginia State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: The Department of State Police (DSP) makes complete sex offender registrations available via the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) for criminal justice purposes. The DSP notifies the chief law enforcement officer of a jurisdiction of any registrations or reregistrations in his/her jurisdiction. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 7/98, SOR information can be disseminated by DSP only to public, private and parochial schools; child welfare agencies; daycare homes or a registered or unregistered small family daycare home; and for employment, volunteering services, public protection, and the protection of children in general. Effective 1/1/99, schools and child care organizations will be able to request and receive automatic notification (electronic or U.S. mail) of all registrations and reregistrations in their own or contiguous zip codes. [Effective 7/1/99 the scope of dissemination will be expanded to include daycare services and child minding services.] Procedures for Public Access: As of 7/98, information regarding a specific person shall be disseminated to citizens upon receipt of an official request form, which may be submitted directly to the Department of State Police or to the State Police through a local law enforcement agency. The official request form shall include a statement of the reason for the request. Effective 1/1/99, violent sex offender records became available through the Internet. Internet Website: Effective 1/1/99 an Internet website was completed and includes information and photos of violent sex offender registrants. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Washington Responsible State Agency: Washington State Patrol Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: There is limited dissemination of SOR information to local law enforcement or Indian tribal police. "Wanted" checks made through the Washington Crime Information Center (WACIC) return SOR flags for Department of Corrections (DOC) registered sex offenders. Criminal history checks through the Washington State Identification System (WASIS) yield rap sheets with further sex offender information. An offender's photo and current address must be requested in writing from Washington State Patrol (WSP). (FY'98 NSOR funds sought for direct online access for criminal justice agencies statewide.) [New criminal history and crime information systems will be implemented in October 1999. The new system greatly improves collection and dissemination of sex offender information.] To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: Eight months prior to release, sex offenders are classified for risk by a DOC committee, but the local law enforcement agency for the jurisdiction where the offender resides makes the final risk determination. For Level II and III (moderate and high risk) offenders, the local schools, neighborhoods and community groups may be notified under the community notification act. A WSP pre-employment records check, requested in writing or through a limited access Internet site, will note if the individual is a registered sex offender. Procedures for Public Access: WSP disseminates limited sex offender information to the public and only in response to a written "public information disclosure request." Based on the offender's risk level, the local law enforcement agency has the authority to notify neighbors and community groups for moderate and high risk offenders, and may issue press releases for high risk offenders. Some local law enforcement agencies also use Internet sites for dissemination of information on registered offenders in their jurisdiction. Internet Website: No. As of 5/99, the only SOR data on a State website was on a restricted access site used for employment background checks. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: West Virginia Responsible State Agency: West Virginia State Police Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: SOR data is available electronically to all criminal justice agencies that have access to WATCH (West Virginia's criminal history records system). As of 4/98, the State police notified the city and county law enforcement agencies where the offender would reside after an offender registered with them. Legislation effective 6/98 now requires that if an offender lives in another State and is required to register in that State but works, has a vocation or goes to school in West Virginia they must register in West Virginia and abide by the laws of West Virginia. To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: As of 5/99, State Police fax notification to school superintendents and child protective agencies of all registered offenders in their counties. Other civic and religious organizations can register with SOR and automatically receive SOR data (FY'98 NSOR-AP application seeks support for new computer and GIS software to analyze offender addresses vs. vulnerable populations.) Procedures for Public Access: As of 5/99, individual citizens could receive SOR information upon application to (and approval by) the circuit court of jurisdiction where the requestor resided. New legislation effective 6/15/98 makes lifetime registrants subject to community notification. West Virginia began its community notification program in September 1998. Internet Website: Yes, as of 6/98. In conjunction with community notification, data on lifetime registrants is mounted on State Police website. One county was online as of September 1998. Two counties were online as of November 1998. Four counties are currently online, as of May 1999. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Wisconsin Responsible State Agency: Wisconsin Department of Corrections Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: Some Sex Offender Registry Program (SORP) data is available through the Department of Justice (DOJ) online database (TIME system), which is now updated weekly by a batch interface between the DOJ and the Department of Corrections (DOC). The DOC also disseminates Special Bulletins on all 2-Strike offenders and discretionary high risk offenders released from custody. (The FY'98 NSOR funds sought to establish electronic transmission to the FBI will also provide State law enforcement agencies with direct access to the full SORP database. NSOR-AP funds were also sought to automate local notification, Special Bulletins, and to provide investigative support through the database and a secure Internet site.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Il: The DOC SORP provides SORP data on geographic areas to Neighborhood Watch Groups, in response to a written request that has been approved by the local law enforcement agency. Affirmative notification to schools or other organizations is the decision and responsibility of the local law enforcement agency. Procedures for Public Access: Victims and victims' families have direct access to SORP information related to their offender(s) via 1-800-Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) and their Victim Access number, or they may request written notification of the offender's change of address or similar information. The general public can access basic SORP data on a specific person, but they must provide the name, date of birth, and the Social Security Number or the driver's license number of the subject of their inquiry. Affirmative community notification is the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency. Internet Website: No. Due to a reduction in grant funds, this initiative was not funded. Summary of State Sex Offender Registries: Wyoming Responsible State Agency: Wyoming Office of the Attorney General Dissemination of Sex Offender Registry Information, May 1999 To Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies: As of 5/99, inquiries to the SOR required that Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) staff search the database and respond by telephone or a manually prepared administrative teletype. (FY'98 NSOR-AP support sought to move the SOR to a more powerful computer and establish an interface with the Wyoming Criminal Justice Information Network (WCJIN) to access the FBI and NLETS. That also will provide online access for law enforcement statewide.) To Organizations Serving Children, Elderly, and the Mentally Ill: The District Court determines the offender's risk of reoffense. For moderate and high risk offenders, the court authorizes the local law enforcement agency to notify community organizations including schools, religious groups, and youth organizations. The law in effect in April 1998 also required an application from the district attorney, prior notice to the offender, and an in- camera hearing before a notification program could begin. A bill introduced in the legislature in 1998 but not acted upon, and expected to be reintroduced in the 1999 legislature, is reported to be compliant with all Federal legislation. Procedures for Public Access: For offenders classified as being at high risk for reoffense, the district court authorizes the local law enforcement agency to provide public notification. As noted above, the law in effect in April 1998, required an application from the district attorney, prior notice to the offender, and an in-camera hearing before any notification could begin. A bill to be reintroduced in 1999 session of legislature is reported to be compliant with all Federal legislation with respect to organizational and community notification. Internet Website: No. End of file 8/20/99 da