Legal Definitions - registration and community-notification law

Registration and community-notification law, also known as Megan's Law, is a statute that requires sex offenders who are released from prison to register with a local board. This law also provides a way to share information about the registered sex offenders with the community where they live.

For example, if a person is convicted of a sex crime and is released from prison, they must register with the local board. The board will then share information about the offender with the community, such as their name, picture, and address. This is done to help keep the community safe and aware of potential dangers.

Megan's Law was named after a seven-year-old girl named Megan Kanka, who was raped and murdered by a twice-convicted sex offender who lived across the street from her house. This tragedy led to the creation of Megan's Law, which is now in effect in all states in the United States.