SMART Watch, Winter 2009

• NCJ Number: 225374
• Date Published: January 2009
• Length: 1 page
• Agencies: SMART
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description; Issue Overview

Annotation

This issue of “Watch” provides information from SMART (Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking) on an extension for compliance with SORNA (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act); specific offenses included under SORNA; the 2009 National Symposium on Sex Offender Management and Accountability; 2008 grant awards and future funding opportunities; and the convening of the Justice Department and Indian Law Expert Working Groups.

Abstract

SMART announces that any jurisdiction that plans to request an extension for SORNA implementation must submit its request to SMART by April 27, 2009. Although most jurisdictions are familiar with the general categories of sex offenses that require registration under SORNA, SMART notes that several sex offenses encompassed by SORNA merit special mention. These are “intent” offenses, tribal offenses, Territory offenses, military offenses, Federal offenses, and foreign offenses. The 2009 National Symposium on Sex Offender Management and Accountability will be held in Houston, TX, on April 21-23, 2009. The symposium will have both plenary and breakout sessions with three tracks: policy, law enforcement and supervision, and Indian country. Regarding 2008 grant awards and future funding opportunities, the SMART Office awarded 27 grants, totaling $3.9 million under the Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program in September 2008. The SMART Office anticipates releasing two solicitations in fiscal year 2009. Web sites with information on these solicitations are noted. The SMART Office has convened two Indian Country working groups. The first group is focusing on issues of law enforcement raised in SORNA implementation in Indian Country. The second group is working on a SORNA-compliant template or sample language for tribal leaders to consider while working toward implementation. In “Watch’s” “Resources” section, information is provided on the improved National Sex Offender Public Web site and other resources.