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Sex Offenders
In 1992, the Louisiana legislature enacted this state's first law mandating the registration of persons convicted of sex offenses and offenses against victims who are minors. The registration was done by local law enforcement agencies. The sheriff's offices and police departments receiving sex offender registration information were required to forward the offender's fingerprints and related information to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (the Bureau). The Bureau was charged with maintaining a central registry of sex offenders and child predators. The registry was initially established as a manual reporting and retrieval system.
The Wetterling Act
In October of 1994, Congress enacted the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (the Wetterling Act). In broad terms, the Wetterling Act set guidelines for the state sex offender registration programs. States had 3 years from the enactment of the law to bring their registration programs into compliance with these federal standards. The Wetterling Act originally restricted release and dissemination of registration information.
Megan's Law
The brutal 1994 rape and murder of 7-year-old Megan Kanka prompted a public demand for broad based community notification of the location of known sexual predators. In 1996, Congress passed "Megan's Law" which amended the Wetterling Act to provide for release of registration information in accordance with state laws. On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed "Megan's Law". Soon thereafter, Louisiana enacted sexual predator and sex offender registration and notification laws. Megan's Law requires the following 2 components:
Act 1147
During the 1997 Regular Legislative Session, Act 1147 was passed by the Louisiana Legislature amending this state's existing sex offender registration laws to bring them into conformity with the provisions of the Jacob Wetterling Act, Megan's Law, and the Pam Lyncher Act.
Adam Walsh Act
In June of 2006, Congress enacted the Adam Walsh Act. On January 1, 2008 Louisiana legislature amended the state's existing sex offender registration laws to bring them into conformity with the provisions of the new Adam Walsh Act. The amendments also mandate that a central registry of sex offenders be maintained by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (the Bureau). This registry is known as the "State Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry". The Bureau is also mandated to participate in the National Sex Offender Registry.
Search For Offenders in Your Area
As a community service, the JPSO has teamed with the Louisiana State Police and OffenderWatch® to provide the citizens of Jefferson Parish with a quick and easy way to identify any sex offenders who may be residing near their home. You may confidentially register as a user and we will update you with information on any addresses you may be concerned about. This service is provided to you free of charge.
Visit the JPSO Sex Offender website to search for offenders in your area.
The Wetterling Act
In October of 1994, Congress enacted the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (the Wetterling Act). In broad terms, the Wetterling Act set guidelines for the state sex offender registration programs. States had 3 years from the enactment of the law to bring their registration programs into compliance with these federal standards. The Wetterling Act originally restricted release and dissemination of registration information.
Megan's Law
The brutal 1994 rape and murder of 7-year-old Megan Kanka prompted a public demand for broad based community notification of the location of known sexual predators. In 1996, Congress passed "Megan's Law" which amended the Wetterling Act to provide for release of registration information in accordance with state laws. On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed "Megan's Law". Soon thereafter, Louisiana enacted sexual predator and sex offender registration and notification laws. Megan's Law requires the following 2 components:
- Community notification
- Sex offender registration
Act 1147
During the 1997 Regular Legislative Session, Act 1147 was passed by the Louisiana Legislature amending this state's existing sex offender registration laws to bring them into conformity with the provisions of the Jacob Wetterling Act, Megan's Law, and the Pam Lyncher Act.
Adam Walsh Act
In June of 2006, Congress enacted the Adam Walsh Act. On January 1, 2008 Louisiana legislature amended the state's existing sex offender registration laws to bring them into conformity with the provisions of the new Adam Walsh Act. The amendments also mandate that a central registry of sex offenders be maintained by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of State Police, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information (the Bureau). This registry is known as the "State Sex Offender and Child Predator Registry". The Bureau is also mandated to participate in the National Sex Offender Registry.
Search For Offenders in Your Area
As a community service, the JPSO has teamed with the Louisiana State Police and OffenderWatch® to provide the citizens of Jefferson Parish with a quick and easy way to identify any sex offenders who may be residing near their home. You may confidentially register as a user and we will update you with information on any addresses you may be concerned about. This service is provided to you free of charge.
Visit the JPSO Sex Offender website to search for offenders in your area.