Reminder: Adam Walsh Act deadline approaching

Tuesday, July 10, 2007  

Tribes have until July 27 to respond to the Adam Walsh Act, which creates a national sex offender registry.

The act requires tribes in non-Public Law 280 states to take one of two actions. By resolution, a tribe must either: a) state that it will create its own sex offender registration system; or b) delegate the authority to the state.

If a tribe fails to pass a resolution by the deadline, the state will automatically be given authority to enforce the sex offender registry on reservations.

More information on the act, as well as a model resolution, can be found at the National Congress of American Indians site [Link].

Separately, tribes face an August 1 deadline to comment on proposed guidelines for the national sex offender registry. More information, as well as a FAQ, can be found on the Department of Justice site [Link].

Federal Register Notice:
The National Guidelines for Sex Offender Registration and Notification (May 30, 2007)

Relevant Laws:
Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act | Violence Against Women Act of 2005

Relevant Documents:
White House Fact Sheet: The Adam Walsh Child Protection And Safety Act Of 2006 | President Signs H.R. 4472, the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006

Related Court Decision:
Minnesota v. Peter John Jones (March 22, 2007)

Relevant Links:
National Congress of American Indians - http://www.ncai.org
Office of Violence Against Women, DOJ - http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw

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