By Devon B. Adams

BJS Program Assistant

As part of the National Sex Offender Registry Assistance

Program (NSOR-AP), the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)

prepared Summary of State Sex Offender Registries:

Automation and Operation: 1998 (NCJ 177621). The 

report presents the status of sex offender registries in the 

50 States and the District of Columbia as of April 1, 1998,

prior to the award of Federal funds under NSOR-AP.

The report is available on the BJS website at

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ssxor.htm.

BJS contacted the States for an update of their sex offender

registry dissemination procedures to reflect conditions as of

May 1, 1999. Copies of the original survey responses were

sent to each State. The designated official was requested 

to review, sign, and return the information to BJS.

States were asked for information on existing State notification systems, use of the Internet, CD-ROMs, and hotlines.

Of particular interest were those procedures used to

disseminate information on sexual predators or the high risk

offenders in each State’s registry. Responses were

received from all 50 States and the District of Columbia. 

Follow-up telephone contacts were made to gather further

information when responses were unclear. A draft was then

sent to the States for final review. 

States were asked to review and update the four categories

of dissemination procedures outlined on page 2.

Responses to these categories are summarized in the table 

Sex Offender Registry information: Dissemination and

community notification, 1999. All data shown in the summaries are current as of May 1, 1999.

Additional information for each State will be presented on

the BJS website. 

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Fact Sheet

Update 1999

Summary of State Sex Offender

Registry Dissemination Procedures

August 1999, NCJ 177620 

 Over two-thirds of the States indicated full or partial

electronic dissemination of State Sex Offender Registry

(SOR) information to local law enforcement or other

agencies responsible for offender supervision.

 Over half of all States have or plan to have an Internet

site devoted to some aspect of SOR: 

15 States have publicly accessible Internet sites containing information on individual sex offenders in a

searchable format. 

10 States have Internet sites accessible only to law

enforcement agencies or containing information that

pertains only to the registry and not to individual

offenders. 

5 States without a SOR Internet site are planning 

to develop one. 

The remaining 20 States and the District of Columbia

indicated that they did not currently have an Internet

site with SOR information and provided no information

as to whether one was planned.

 California, Florida, New York, and Wisconsin are the

only States to have a Sex Offender Information Hotline. 

California is the only State to provide a CD-ROM of 

registered sex offenders for public inspection. 

 Over 60% of the States reported that citizens may

make requests (usually written) to receive information 

on a specific offender or list of offenders or may view 

the registry at the discretion of local law enforcement

agencies. In many of these States, citizens had to

demonstrate a need to know.

 In at least four States, litigation has limited public

dissemination of some or all individual sex offender 

information.

Highlights
 Dissemination to law enforcement and criminal 

justice agencies

States summarized how sex offender information is transmitted from the registry to local law enforcement agencies.

Responses ranged from extensive electronic transmission to

all local law enforcement agencies by the State SOR to

hard copies mailed to local agencies by request only. 

 Dissemination procedures to organizations serving

children, the elderly, and the mentally ill

The States reported numerous methods of dissemination

and notification from the local law enforcement agencies to

schools and other child welfare and youth serving organizations. 

 Dissemination procedures to the general public

Scope: Community notification is open to a variety of interpretation by the States. In over half the States, community

notification is permitted for specific types of offenders,

such as high risk offenders, violent or habitual offenders,

sexual predators, and child sexual offenders, and sexual

predators. Information on sex offenders other than those

listed above is generally provided to local law enforcement

agencies, victims, and schools and other youth service

organizations. In other States local law enforcement is

given significant latitude when it comes to releasing offender

specific information to communities and the general public. 

Method of disclosure (other than Internet sites): The 

States reported a wide variety of methods for disseminating

SOR information to the community and general public.

Methods include the following: sending or posting fliers in

the offender’s residential district; law enforcement officers

conducting door-to-door notification; community meetings;

placing newspaper ads; and so on.

 Internet website 

The States indicated whether a website had been established, whether it contained information on specific

offenders, and whether it was accessible to the public. 

2 Summary of State Sex Offender Registry Dissemination Procedures 

Information shown in this Summary was collected for

research purposes and was not intended for assessment

of compliance with the community notification requirement

(Megan’s Law) of the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Aganist

Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act

(Jacob Wetterling Act). No inference is intended or should

be made from BJS’ inclusion of information provided by

the States in the Summary with respect to whether a jursidiction’s community notification provisions comply with the

Jacob Wetterling Act. Unless otherwise noted, information

provided in this Summary is accurate as of May 1, 1999.

For the most complete and recent information regarding a

particular State’s Sex Offender Registry contact the

responsible agency in that State.

The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical 

agency of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Jan M. Chaiken, Ph.D., is director.

BJS Factsheets summarize or update frequently 

requested information from larger data collection

programs.

Devon B. Adams wrote the report under the supervision

of Carol Kaplan, Chief, National Criminal History Improvement Program. Scott Matson, Research Associate,

Center for Sex Offender Management, provided

comments. Stephanie Evans of BJS gave assistance in

data collection and presentation. Tom Hester edited the

report. Jayne Robinson administered final production.

August 1999, NCJ 177620
 Summary of State Sex Offender Registry Dissemination Procedures 3 

A website was launched in May

1998. <http://www.ganet.

org/gbi/disclaim.html>

Public access is at the discretion of the local sheriff. Legislation states that the sheriff

"shall release relevant information collected under this Code section that is necessary to

protect the public..." and stipulates "nothing herein shall prevent any sheriff from posting

this information in any public building."

Georgia electronic

For those offenders classified as "sexual predators" the sheriff or chief law enforcement <www.fdle.state.fl.us/>

officer of the jurisdiction where the predator will reside is required to notify the public (and

organizations) "in a manner deemed appropriate" in addition to the mandatory notification

to all schools and daycares within a one-mile radius of a sexual predator's residence within

48 hours of law enforcement's notification to the SOR. Fliers are disseminated 

for community notification of sexual predators.

Florida electronic

There is no public access to SOR information. Community notification procedures are

being developed by the police department and an interagency task group to reflect new

legislation under development and the police department reorganization. DC law permits

community or organizational notification only for offenders with formal risk classifications 

of Level 2 (moderate risk) or Level 3 (high risk).

District of hard copy

Columbia

 <http://www.state.de.us/dsp/

sexoff/index.htm> The site has

photo capability, but as of 5/99

no photos were posted.

Notification measures are based on the offender's assigned risk level which is determined

by a risk assessment performed by the State Attorney General's Office. For Tier II (moderate risk) offenders notification consists of searchable records available to the public, and

may also include community notification. For Tier III (high risk) offenders, notification

consists of both searchable records available to the public and community notification. 

Delaware electronic

Under legislation effective October 1, 1998, two procedures for public access were estab- <http://www.state.ct.us/ dps/>

lished: (1) a copy of the sex offender registrations became available for public inspection in

law enforcement agencies serving the sex offender's residence municipality, and (2) the

Statewide sex offender registry on the Internet was established on 1/1/99. 

Connecticut electronic

Notification is the responsibility of local law enforcement agencies. They may notify

organizations, individuals and the general public "for reasons of public protection." SOR

information is considered a public record.

Colorado electronic

Notification is the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency where the offender

resides. Legislation specifies the conditions for limited notification to organizations or 

to specific individuals or for broader public advisories and notification on high risk sex 

offenders. 

California electronic

As of January 1999, the Arkansas Crime Information

Center website provides information on the Arkansas law,

the offenses requiring registration, and the number of registered offenders in a given

county, but did not post data

on individual offenders.

Community notification is conducted by local law enforcement agencies in accordance with

guidelines developed by the Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Commission.

Notifiication to organizations, schools and institutions is made for offenders determined to

be medium or high risk offenders. In some cases schools may notify parents of information received from a law enforcement agency.

Arkansas electronic

New legislation mandates the

Department of Public Safety 

to develop an Internet website

with information on all level 2

and 3 offenders. The anticipated date of completion is

January 2000.

Each law enforcement agency keeps a notebook on registered sex offenders residing in

that jurisdiction. Citizens may ask to see the file and usually have to demonstrate a need

to know. Access is at the discretion of the law enforcement agency. Community notification focuses on “neighborhoods” at risk rather than specific organizations or victim types.

The level of notification is based on a review of the individual’s risk assessment.

Arizona electronic

<http://www.dps.state.ak.us

/sorcr/> 

In addition to a public access Internet site, the public may also obtain information from the

local police station, and they may receive hard copy reports on individual sex offenders

through the SORCR office in response to individual requests.

electronic

U.S. mail,

E-mail

Alaska

When an offender qualifies for community notification (those convicted of rape, sodomy, <http://www.gsiweb .net>

sexual torture, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse and incest, when victim is under age 18

and the offender is over age 20), fliers with the offenders photo are mailed to everyone

living within 1,000 ft. of his home (in cities), 1,500 ft. in towns, and 2,000 ft. in rural areas.

Citizens may also view fliers at local law enforcement agencies.

electronic

fliers

Alabama

Notification by local law enforcement agencies Internet website

Dissemination from

State SOR

to local law

enforcement 

State agencies

Sex Offender Registry information: Dissemination and community notification, 1999
4 Summary of State Sex Offender Registry Dissemination Procedures 

The information in Maine Registry is based on conviction data and is therefore considered

a public record, available to citizens through a request to a State or local law enforcement

agency. Affirmative notification of schools and organizations is the responsibility of the

local law enforcement agency where the offender resides. The DOC also provides

community notification.

Maine U.S. mail

Citizens may make public record inquiries to the local law enforcement agencies or to the

registry. Also, individuals may be informed directly through community notification provisions that require the offender to give notice of the crime for which he was convicted, his

name and his address to at least one person in every residence or business in a one mile

radius of his residence in a rural area, and three square block area in an urban or suburban area.

U.S. mail 

in response

to specific

queries

Louisiana

A website is under development intended to allow public

access to information concerning high risk offenders. This

site will have sufficient security

features in place as to allow

those law enforcement/criminal

justice agencies that currently

do not have access to

Kentucky's LINK system to

access information concerning

sex offenders.

The sheriffs are responsible for notifying the general public in their jurisdiction of the "high

risk" offender by whatever means they deem applicable. The use of Statewide media

outlets is authorized as well as any other means that may be made available in the future.

Sheriffs are also authorized to release information concerning moderate risk offenders to

schools and agencies such as daycare centers and other organizations dealing with

children, as well as to victim advocacy groups.

electronic,

U.S. mail 

to rural

agencies

without

electronic

capability

Kentucky

The Kansas SOR website is

operated by the Kansas

Bureau of Investigation (KBI)

<http://www.ink.org/public/kbi/

kbisexpage.html>

Affirmative notification to schools and relevant organizations is the responsibility of local

law enforcement. Members of the public may also inspect registration records at a local

sheriff's office or at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

electronic

dissemination under

construction

Kansas

Information pertaining to the

registry is available as of 5/99.

Individual offender information

is anticipated to be accessible

to the public in October 1999.

Current legislation allows registry information to be disseminated from sheriffs’ offices and

police departments. Affirmative public notification by a local law enforcement agency

requires prior authorization by Iowa DPS. For registrants classified as "at risk" affirmative

public notification may include "notification of agencies or organizations in the community

in which the registrant lives, is employed or attends school..." The offender receives prior

notice of any public notification plans and may appeal.

Iowa electronic

<www.state.in.us/cji/registry

/index.html>

The Sex and Violent Offender Registry (SVOR) data and all updates are sent (in hard

copy) to all public and private schools, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and their licensees, and to agencies that work with children and have requested

copies. The general public may access SVOR data at public libraries (in hard copy) and

on the Internet.

local agency must

make

queries; 

hard copy

provided

Indiana

Legislation (pending the governor’s signature) requires the

ISP to establish a website with

information for all sex offenders to register in Illinois.

County sheriff’s and the Chicago Police Department provide quarterly lists of sex offenders

to all schools, child care facilities, and to the Illinois Department of Children and Family

Services. Local law enforcement agencies provide public access to the list of sex offenders residing or working in the county. Any law enforcement agency may provide SOR

information to any person or entity likely to encounter the offender.

Illinois electronic

The Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) makes affirmative notification to the Departments of Education and Health and Welfare and provides schools and organizations

working with youth, women and/or vulnerable populations with free public access to Statewide lists and responses to individual inquires. The general public may inquire whether an

individual is a registered sex offender, by submitting a written inquiry to the DLE or the

local sheriff. Name checks and lists are $5 per query, $10 with photo. 

Idaho electronic

Hawaii's legislation specifies the specific items of SOR data that are to be accessible to

public. Information is integrated into the Criminal History Public Access facility, which can

be used by the general public for background checks. Public information on registered sex

offenders is available to schools, and organizations serving children, the elderly, the

mentally ill, or other vulnerable populations at the HCJDC office and at the main county

police stations.

electronic

and by

phone

Hawaii

Notification by local law enforcement agencies Internet website

Dissemination from

State SOR

to local law

enforcement 

State agencies

Sex Offender Registry information continued
 Summary of State Sex Offender Registry Dissemination Procedures 5 

Citizens may submit by-name queries about individuals to the SOR. For Tier 3 (high risk)

offenders, the law enforcement agency where the offender resides notifies not only other

law enforcement agencies, schools, and youth organizations, but also the general public

"through means designed to reach members of the public likely to encounter the sex

offender." Additional provisions apply for those who commit sexual offenses against

minors.

primarily

electronic,

but some

mail and fax

Nevada

Sex Offender Registry information is provided to law enforcement, schools and daycare

centers. There are three levels of notification based on a formal risk assessment of the

sexual offender's likelihood of becoming a repeat offender.

No direct

online

access to

SOR data,

information

provided

upon request

Nebraska

No. However a website is

a goal the Montana

Department of Justice is

working towards.

Community notification is conducted by local law enforcement agencies. It is discretionary

for Level 2 offenders and mandatory for Level 3 offenders. The State Department of

Justice is currently developing policies for public access to criminal history records.

electronic

dissemination under

construction

Montana

Upon request, a local law enforcement agency will provide a complete list of the sexual

offenders registered within that agency's jurisdiction to any member of the public. Affirmative notification of schools or other youth serving organizations is a local law enforcement

responsibility.

Missouri electronic

Members of the general public can request to access State registry information or to the

information maintained by the sheriff's department at the local level. Law enforcement

agencies are authorized to release SOR information when the release is necessary for

public protection, and the law directs both local sheriffs and the DPS to "make available to

any person upon request the name, address, place of employment, crime for which

convicted, and date of conviction for any registrant."

U.S. mail,

phone or 

fax

Mississippi

Yes, but not with information on offenders. The

DOC currently has a

secured website for law

enforcement and corrections with detainer information.

All law enforcement agencies in the State are required to have a formal policy on community notification. In general, for Level 1 (low risk) offenders, information is shared only with

law enforcement, victims and witnesses. For Level 2 (moderate risk) offenders, schools,

daycares and other organizations are notified. For Level 3 (high risk) offenders, thorough

community notification, including community meetings is conducted. The DOC provides

an offender fact sheet with photo. The DOC also plans to post Level 3 (absconding offenders, offenders who move frequently or who are in violation of the registration law) on a

website on August 1, 1999.

Minnesota electronic

<www.mipsor.state.mi.

us> and <www.msp.

state.mi.us>

Listings by zip code of the registered offenders within a jurisdiction are available for inspection by the general public during normal business hours at State Police posts, local law

enforcement agencies, and sheriffs’ departments. Information is also available through the

Internet.

Michigan electronic

There are three procedures by which the general public can have access to SOR data: 

 1) by a written request to the Criminal History Systems Board for information on a specific

individual; 2) through community notification usually reserved for high risk offenders only;

and 3) through an in-person request at the local police department.

Massachu- electronic

setts

Yes, but for information

only. It does not include

any offender-specific

information.

When a child sexual offender registers with the local law enforcement agency, the agency

is required to notify the county school superintendent who then notifies school principals.

The local law enforcement agency may also notify (as necessary to protect the public interest) community organizations, religious organizations, or any organization that relates to

children or youth. Written requests for the registry are mailed or faxed to the Sex Offender

Registry Unit.

Maryland electronic

Notification by local law enforcement agencies Internet website

Dissemination from

State SOR

to local law

enforcement 

State agencies

Sex Offender Registry information continued
6 Summary of State Sex Offender Registry Dissemination Procedures 

As of 5/99, community notification is conducted by the appropriate State or municipal law

enforcement agency for both sexually violent predators and out-of-State offenders subject

to notification. The State Police prepare the flier, and the local State Police or municipal

department notifies qualifying neighbors, and maintains records of those notified. Community meetings may be held. Fliers are available upon in-person requests to the local law

enforcement agency. [A June 30, 1999 Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision found the

Sexually Violent Predator provisions of PA’s Megan’s Law to be “...violative of the procedural due process guarantees of the Fourteenth Amendment.” All provisions of Megan’s

Law pertaining to Sexually Violent Predators were struck from the law.]

Pennsylvania hard copy

The public will have a "look

only" access. Criminal justice

agenices will be allowed to

view all information OSP has

on file regarding Oregon sex

offenders through a password

protected website.

While the offender is under supervision by a corrections agency the corrections agency is

responsible for community notification, provided the offender has been determined to be

predatory. If the offender is off supervision then law enforcement is responsible for notifying the community, provided the offender has been determined to be predatory in conjunction with the Department of Corrections. Legislation to increase public access is being

proposed for the 1999 Oregon legislative session. 

electronic,

searchable

by name 

and date of

birth only

Oregon

The placement of the SOR on

the DOC website is planned 

for late 1999, early 2000.

The Oklahoma SOR data is considered a public record. Citizens can write, phone or fax a

query about a specific individual to the central SOR unit and get a response. Members of

the public can also view SOR files in the DOC's Oklahoma City office. Since November 1,

1998, the DOC makes hard copies of the full registry available to the public for a fee (to

cover copying costs) and citizens can view the registry files for their jursdiction at their local

law enforcement agency.

Oklahoma U.S. mail

For sexual predators and habitual sexual offenders subject to notification, the local sheriff

notifies in writing all occupants of residences adjacent to the offender's place of residence,

and additional neighbors within any category the Attorney General rules a "specified

geographical notification area." Generally registration information the local sheriff has on

sexual predators and habitual sexual offenders, subject to notification, and sexuallyoriented offenders is public record open to inspection.

Ohio hard copy

No, not for public access.

Internet access is restricted to

law enforcement.

The list of registered offenders is a confidential record, but local law enforcement agencies

must release information from the list to the public if the agency determines that the

offender is a risk to the public and disclosure is necesary for public protection. Disclosure

of "nonregistration information" (from criminal history records) is also permitted. Work is

underway for developing guidelines for risk assessment and community notification procedures. 

North Dakota hard copy 

 <http://sbi.jus.state.nc.

us/sor>

Sex offender registration information and the registry are "public record information" and

open for public inspection. Citizens may obtain a copy of the Statewide registry by making

a written request to the State's Division of Criminal Information (DCI) and paying a fee, or

obtain a copy of a countywide registry by making a written request to the appropriate

sheriff and paying a fee.

North electronic

Carolina

<http://www.criminaljustice.

state.ny.us> The site is does

not contain information on

individual offenders.

Community notification is at the discretion of local law enforcement, based on the

offender's risk assessment level (RAL). The RAL also determines the amount and scope

of information released. The local law enforcement agency has discretion for notification

to any "entities with vulnerable populations" concerning offenders at risk levels 2 and 3.

The State semi-annually publishes a subdirectory of level 3 offenders which is available to

view at local law enforcement agencies.

U.S. mail,

phone

queries

New York

Effective July 1, 1999, sex offender information for persons convicted of certain sex

offenses that were committed on or after July 1, 1999 will be available to the public.

New Mexico electronic

Since October 1994, community notification has been conducted for Level 3 (high risk)

sexual offenders. Risk levels are determined through use of the Registrant Risk Assessment Scale, developed by mental health and legal experts, and supplemented by a

detailed manual explaining criteria, weighting, and giving examples. For offenders

assessed as high risk, local law enforcement agencies conduct community notification,

tailoring it to those members of the public likely to encounter the offender.

New Jersey electronic

New Hampshire law permits a local law enforcement agency to notify community organizations where an offender plans to reside only if the offender has been convicted of aggravated sexual assault against a child under the age of 13. A public access list is published

monthly by SOR to local law enforcement of those offenders convicted of certain specified

offenses. The local law enforcement agency can disseminate this list to any member of

the public that requests it.

New electronic

Hampshire

Notification by local law enforcement agencies Internet website

Dissemination from

State SOR

to local law

enforcement 

State agencies

Sex Offender Registry information continued
 Summary of State Sex Offender Registry Dissemination Procedures 7 

The only SOR data on a State

website is on a restricted

access site used for employment background checks.

The State Police disseminates limited sex offender information to the public and only in

response to a written "public information disclosure request." Based on the offender's risk

level, the local law enforcement agency has the authority to notify neighbors and community groups for moderate and high risk offenders, and may issue press releases for high

risk offenders. Some local law enforcement agencies also use Internet site for dissemination of information on registered offenders in their jurisdiction. 

limited 

information 

available

electronically

Washington

Information regarding a specific person may be disseminated to citizens upon receipt of an <http://www.vsp.state.va.us>

official request form, which may be submitted directly to the Department of State Police or

to the State Police through a local law enforcement agency. Schools and child care

organizations are able to request and receive automatic notification (electronic or U.S.

mail) of all registrations and reregistrations in their own or contiguous zip codes.

Virginia electronic

Yes, but the Vermont website

only provides information on 

the Registry. No data is

posted on registered offenders.

<http://www.dps.state.vt.us/

cjs/s_registry.htm>

Information contained in the registry is not accessible to the public directly. The registry

does inform local law enforcement agencies when a registrant moves into their

jurisdictions. The local agencies are authorized to release registry information to the public

in the interest of public safety. A bill to provide community notification was introduced into

the State Legislature in January 1999, but no action was taken.

Vermont hard copy

In July 1998 SOR data for

registered offenders convicted

after 4/29/96, was mounted on

the DOC website. <http://www.

cr.ex.state.ut.us/soreg/info_ 

soreg.htm> By yearend,

however, legal issues and

constraints precluded adding

new offenders. 

Some registration data is public information. Citizens may write to the DOC's SOR unit for

detailed information on registered offenders by zip code(s). There is a limit of two zip

codes that may be queried. Registration data may be used by local law enforcement in

affirmative notification to schools and youth organizations. 

Utah electronic

In January, 1999, SOR data

was available (for a fee) on the

Conviction Records Database

of Texas DPS website.

<http://records.txdps.state.tx.

us/dps/default.htm>

Registry data is public information, but the street address, Social Security Number, phone

number, driver's license number, and photo are not released. Newspaper notification is

made on adult offenders only for convictions or adjudications on or after 9/5/95 where the

victim was under the age of 17. Citizens may write to their local law enforcement agency

or the Texas DPS requesting listings of registered offenders.

Texas electronic

<www.ticic.state.tn.us/sexoffen

der.htm> The website is

operated by the Tennesse's

Internet Crime Information

Center, but a Federal Court

Order precludes releasing

registry information on individual offenders on the website at

this time.

For offenses committed prior to 7/1/97, the registry information is confidential and is

released only to law enforcement officials. For offenses committed on or after 7/1/97, the

registry information is by statute a public record. However, the Federal Court for the

Middle District of Tennessee has held that Tennessee's provisions for notification violate

offenders' due process rights, and that discretionary notification must be preceded by a

hearing.

Tennessee electronic

The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) sexual offender registration file is available to

all law enforcement agencies on a twenty-four hour basis, but is not open to inspection by

the public. However, the registration records collected by local law enforcement agencies

and the registration lists provided to local law enforcement by DCI are public records and

may be viewed at local law enforcement offices.

South electronic

Dakota

<http://www.scattorneygeneral.

com/public/registry.html> 

Local SOR information is open to public inspection upon a request to the county sheriff.

Requests must be made in writing and include the name of the requestor and the name or

address of the person about whom information is sought. Affirmative notification is the

responsibility of the county sheriff where the offender lives and is to be conducted in the

interests of public safety and preventing criminal activity.

South electronic

Carolina

For Risk Level II (moderate risk) offenders; schools, daycares, and other organizations that

serve people whom the offender might victimize are notified. For schools and daycare

centers, law enforcement must notify each parent. For Risk Level III (high risk) offenders,

the local law enforcement agency may notify individual members of community, establishments, and organizations. Notification methods include: fact sheets, fliers, news releases,

advertisements, etc. Offenders subject to notification are so informed and entitled to

judicial review.

Rhode electronic

Island

Notification by local law enforcement agencies Internet website

Dissemination from

State SOR

to local law

enforcement 

State agencies

Sex Offender Registry information continued
8 Summary of State Sex Offender Registry Dissemination Procedures 

Note: In addition to the dissemination procedures outlined in the table; California, Florida, New York, 

and Wisconsin have sex offender information hotlines. California is the only State to report the use 

of a CD-ROM containing sex offender information which is available to view by the public.

For offenders classified as being at high risk for reoffense, the district court authorizes the

local law enforcement agency to provide public notification. The law in effect in April 1998

required an application from the district attorney, prior notice to the offender, and an

in-camera hearing before a notification program could begin. A bill introduced in the 1998

legislature, and expected to be reintroduced in 1999 is reported to be compliant with all

federal legislation regarding notification. 

Inquiries

processed

through 

U.S. mail or

phone

Wyoming

Victims and victims’ families have direct access to the SORP information related to their

offender(s) via 1-800-Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) and their Victim

access number. The general public can access basic SORP data, on a specific person,

using the same phone number, but they must provide the name, date of birth, and the

Social Security Number or the driver's license number of the subject of their inquiry.

Affirmative community notification is the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency.

 

limited 

electronic

information;

bulletins

prepared for

high risk

registrants

Wisconsin

Yes. Four counties are

currently online.

<www.wvstatepolice.

com>

Individual citizens may receive SOR information upon application to (and approval by) the

circuit court jurisdiction where the requestor resides. Legislation effective 6/15/98 makes

lifetime registrants subject to community notification. The State Police also fax notification

to school superintendents and child protective agencies of all registered offenders in their

counties.

West electronic

Virginia

Notification by local law enforcement agencies Internet website

Dissemination from

State SOR

to local law

enforcement 

State agencies

Sex Offender Registry information continued