The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold an oversight hearing on tribal implementation of the Adam Walsh Act on Thursday, July 17.

The law, which was passed without tribal consultation, requires tribes to create a sex offender registry as part of a national system. If they don't, they will automatically cede jurisdiction to the state.

The overwhelming majority of tribes who responded to the mandate decided to create their own tracking systems rather than cede authority to states. Tribes are now working to meet a 2009 deadline to finalize their systems.

The hearing on the issue will take place at 9:30am in Room 562 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. A witness list has not been released.

Committee Notice:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on Tracking Sex Offenders in Indian Country: Tribal Implementation of the Adam Walsh Act (July 17, 2008)

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

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

Related Stories:
Cherokee Nation weighs Adam Walsh implementation (7/7)
Tribes reject state authority under Adam Walsh Act (5/15)