Federal legislation, known as Megan’s Law, promotes the establishment of state registration systems to maintain residential information on every person who kidnaps children, commits sexual crimes against children, or commits sexually violent crimes. Upon release from prison, offenders must register their name with state authorities and indicate where they will be residing. Local law enforcement agencies may release relevant information about such an offender upon request if they deem it necessary for the protection of the public.
Megan’s Law affects a licensee’s duty of disclosure. In accordance with state law, a licensee may need to request that a customer sign a form indicating where the customer may obtain information about the sex offender registry. An index to sex offender registries in all 50 states can be found at www.preventabusenow. comIregister.htm.
