SORNA Law and Legal Definition
SORNA means the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. It is a federal law that aims to strengthen the U.S. network of sex offender registration and notification programs. The SORNA was enacted in 2006, it is codified as Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
SORNA provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the U.S. The Act aims to close potential gaps and loopholes that existed under previous law and generally strengthens the nationwide sex offender registration network and notification programs. Additionally, SORNA:
A. Extends the jurisdictions in which registration is required beyond the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the principal U.S. territories, to include also federally recognized Indian tribes.
B. Mandates registered sex offenders to register and update their registration on a periodical basis. The registration should be made in each jurisdiction in which the offender reside, work, or go to school.
C. Incorporates a more comprehensive group of sex offenders and sex offenses for which registration is required.
D. Mandates sex offenders to provide more extensive registration information.
E. Requires sex offenders to make periodic in-person appearances to verify and update their registration information.
F. Expands the amount of information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders.
G. Makes changes in the required minimum duration of registration for sex offenders.
