Megan's Law

Megan's Law is any of a series of laws in the United States that require law enforcement authorities to identify certain kinds of criminals, mostly those convicted of sexual assaults and sexual assaults against children (see pedophilia) to the public at large through various media.

The first Megan's Law was passed in New Jersey in 1994 after the rape and murder of Megan Nicole Kanka by a convicted sex offender who was living across the street from her. The Megan Nicole Kanka Foundation suggests that "Every parent should have the right to know if a dangerous sexual predator moves into their neighborhood."

On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed Megan's Law as an amendment to the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children's Act. This required every state to develop some procedure for notifying concerned people when a person convicted of certain crimes is released near their homes. Different states have different procedures for making the required disclosures.