MEGAN KANKA: NEW JERSEY

Megan's Law, named for 7 year old Megan Kanka of New Jersey, mandates the release of information necessary to protect the public from high risk sex offenders.  All 50 states are required to meet those federal standards or risk losing federal crime fighting funding.  Federal legislation was passed in 1996 mandating all states to have sex offenders register and mandating all states to release information regarding sex offenders to the public.  Megan disappeared on July 29, 1994 when Jesse Timmendequas, 35, lured her into his house to see a puppy but instead he sexually assaulted and murdered her.  The crime sparked public outrage after neighbors learned that Timmendequas, who lived across the street from the Kankas, had two prior sex convictions.  Megan's parents were not aware that their neighbor was a twice-convicted sex offender until he was charged with the brutal rape and murder of their daughter.  Megan's mother, Maureen, campaigned for laws requiring neighbor notification when convicted sex offenders move in.