(a) In generalA sex offender shall register, and keep the registration current, in each jurisdiction where the offender resides, where the offender is an employee, and where the offender is a student. For initial registration purposes only, a sex offender shall also register in the jurisdiction in which convicted if such jurisdiction is different from the jurisdiction of residence.
(b) Initial registrationThe sex offender shall initially register—(1) before completing a sentence of imprisonment with respect to the offense giving rise to the registration requirement; or
(2) not later than 3 business days after being sentenced for that offense, if the sex offender is not sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
(c) Keeping the registration currentA sex offender shall, not later than 3 business days after each change of name, residence, employment, or student status, appear in person in at least 1 jurisdiction involved pursuant to subsection (a) and inform that jurisdiction of all changes in the information required for that offender in the sex offender registry. That jurisdiction shall immediately provide that information to all other jurisdictions in which the offender is required to register.
(d) Initial registration of sex offenders unable to comply with subsection (b)The Attorney General shall have the authority to specify the applicability of the requirements of this subchapter to sex offenders convicted before the enactment of this chapter or its implementation in a particular jurisdiction, and to prescribe rules for the registration of any such sex offenders and for other categories of sex offenders who are unable to comply with subsection (b).
(e) State penalty for failure to complyEach jurisdiction, other than a Federally recognized Indian tribe, shall provide a criminal penalty that includes a maximum term of imprisonment that is greater than 1 year for the failure of a sex offender to comply with the requirements of this subchapter.
Structure US Code
Title 34— CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Subtitle II— Protection of Children and Other Persons
CHAPTER 209— CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFETY
SUBCHAPTER I— SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND NOTIFICATION
Part A— Sex Offender Registration and Notification
§ 20912. Registry requirements for jurisdictions
§ 20913. Registry requirements for sex offenders
§ 20914. Information required in registration
§ 20915. Duration of registration requirement
§ 20916. Direction to the Attorney General
§ 20917. Checking system for social networking websites
§ 20918. Periodic in person verification
§ 20919. Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register
§ 20920. Public access to sex offender information through the Internet
§ 20921. National Sex Offender Registry
§ 20922. Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website
§ 20923. Megan Nicole Kanka and Alexandra Nicole Zapp Community Notification Program
§ 20924. Actions to be taken when sex offender fails to comply
§ 20925. Development and availability of registry management and website software
§ 20926. Period for implementation by jurisdictions
§ 20927. Failure of jurisdiction to comply
§ 20928. Sex Offender Management Assistance (SOMA) program
§ 20929. Election by Indian tribes
§ 20930. Registration of sex offenders entering the United States