Funds Secured For Compliance, Use Of Sex Offender Registration
Senator Jon Tester announced Oct. 25 that an additional $325,000 in Department of Justice Adam Walsh Act grant funding for the Montana Department of Justice will now be used to reinforce the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.
“Keeping Montanans safe from dangerous individuals is critically important,” said Tester. “Every Montanan has the right to safety and security, and we need to improve how we communicate across communities to crack down on violent crime. I’m proud to secure this funding for our law enforcement to investigate and prosecute offenders and keep Montana communities safe from criminals.”
The Montana Department of Justice will use these grant funds to support personnel and travel to increase investigative and prosecutorial efforts for noncompliant registrants; develop and execute a memorandum of understanding with Tribal Nations currently operating as SORNA jurisdictions in Montana; provide information, guidance and assistance to legislators regarding necessary statutory updates; and enhance existing community education programs regarding SORNA.
SORNA provides a comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. The legislation closed gaps and loopholes that existed under prior law and strengthened the nationwide network of sex offender registration and notification programs. Tester voted to reauthorize SORNA through the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Reauthorization Act in 2016.
