Press Release

Gov. Ruth Ann Minner signed the state's version of the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection Act into law, saying the state is renewing its commitment to keep children safe.

Dover - Today Governor Ruth Ann Minner, with Attorney General Joseph R. Biden, III and state legislative leaders at her side, signed Senate Bill 60, which implements the federal Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (.Adam Walsh Act.). The Adam Walsh Act aligns sex offender registry standards across the states, asks states to place the burden of proof on convicted sex offenders, and authorizes additional federal funding to aid states in their efforts to track convicted sex offenders and investigate and prevent sex crimes.

.There are many people working statewide to make Megan's law work in Delaware, and these reforms will help them do it even more effectively,. said Governor Ruth Ann Minner. .I am proud to be governor of a state where we value our children's safety and are quick to act when bills like this one are introduced. This legislation puts the registration burden on the offender where it belongs..

This new law toughens Delaware's registration requirements for convicted sex offenders and stiffens penalties for sex offenders who fail to verify. Implementation of the federal Adam Walsh Act: requires convicted sex offenders to appear in person to register, re-register, or verify with the Delaware State Police; reduces the amount of time a convicted sex offender has to register or re-register after being released on probation or parole from seven business days to three business days, and; requires convicted sex offenders to provide additional identifying information to authorities, including the offender's social security number, e-mail address, and vehicle registration.

Furthermore, this new law exceeds the provisions of the Adam Walsh act by making it a felony for failure to register, re-register, or verify as required by law, and mandating that a warrant be issued immediately for the arrest of any offender who fails to register, re-register, or verify as required.

.When someone becomes a convicted sex offender, he loses his right to disappear,. Attorney General Biden stated. .But many predators think they can slip through the cracks and back into our neighborhoods unnoticed. This new law refuses to let that happen. Its get-tough provisions allow law enforcement to effectively verify and track Delaware's sex offenders.. Delaware now becomes one of the first states in the nation to implement the Adam Walsh Act. As a result, Delaware is now eligible to seek a portion of $57 million in additional federal funds to more effectively track and verify all registered sex offenders, enforce sex offender registration requirements, and educate children and parents about safe use of the internet.

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