Trouble from the start with Walsh Act

A federal mandate to create a national sex offender registry passed by Congress left many states wondering whether it was necessary when it as passed in 2006. The Adam Walsh Act was “an unfunded mandate and states were not part of the discussion when the bill was considered,” said Susan Frederick, federal affairs counsel for the National Conference of State Legislatures. “We were told here’s what we’ve done for you and we’re not happy about that.”

The result is that only seven states have met the law’s requirements, some have given up entirely and others are scrambling to meet a July 27 deadline.