A COMMUNITY APPROACH TO MANAGING MEGAN'S LAW
The federal version of Megan’s Law authorizes (not requires) law enforcement to release information into communities about known sex offenders who may pose a risk to public safety. Some states require that law enforcement actively notify the community via door-to-door notifications or via the mail while others don't require any form of active notification at all. Even if your state does allow for active notifications, law enforcement is not staffed nor funded to actively notify every individual within the community who may be vulnerable to that particular offender. When implementing a notification for a sex offender, for example, who targets children, law enforcement may notify a limited number of neighbors and notify organizations such as schools or child care centers. Once released to the school or child care center, as long as it is within the bounds of your state law, it is imperative that the school or childcare center make parents aware that law enforcement implemented a notification and that it is specifically made clear to the parent or caregiver that, if they choose, they may obtain an exact copy of the notification from the school or center as long as it is within the boundarties of the law. If the information is disseminated only to those in charge of schools and centers, and is not further disseminated to those parents then Megan’s Law has not been fully effective because it has not reached individual community members.
The law, together with the Parents for Megan's Law Model State Megan’s Law School and Organization Dissemination Policy or derivation thereof provides communities the unique opportunity to ensure that all residents are made aware of the presence of a high risk sex offender residing within a school district’s boundaries and the opportunity to educate parents about childhood sex abuse prevention.
The following is an excerpt from "Megan's Law Nationwide and the Apple of My Eye Childhood Sexual Abuse Prevention Program", a book written by Laura A. Ahearn, C.S.W., Executive Director of Parents for Megan's Law. The book can be ordered on-line on this website. Just look for the book icon on the menu bar.
The downloadable file above includes a description of what should happen after a sex offender notification is implemented to a school within a state jurisdication that does not prohibit further dissemination. Instructions are provided on how to order the Model State School Board Megan’s Law Dissemination Policy with regulations and sample letters. This policy or some derivation thereof is currently being utilized by schools and other organizations serving children across the nation.
The downloable file below provides an easily understandable pictorial overview and detailed description of how sex offender information might be released in a state where risk levels or classifications determine the amount of information available to the community. In this case, the approach is based upon New York State law.
2. Understanding Your Local Law
Enforcement Agency Role, Your Role And The Role Of Parents
For Megan’s Law In Helping To Manage Sex Offender
Notifications In Your Community (Acrobat PDF, 64k)
Please do not assume that your local
law enforcement agency is implementing vigorous high risk
sex offender notifications at all. The following
information will assist you and your community in working
together to ensure the uniform, vigorous and responsible
dissemination of Megan’s Law high risk sex offender
notifications while informing parents about childhood sex
abuse prevention.
