State of Wisconsin FY24 Sex Offender and Registration Notification Act (SORNA)

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has the statutory obligation to carry out the requirements of the sex offender registry and community notification. Currently, Wisconsin has 27,061 registered sex offenders with an average increase of ten new registrants per week.  Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry continues to work toward implementation of the requirements the Adam Walsh Act (AWA), also known as Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), and continues to exceed high standards of carrying out sex offender registration and community education regarding sexual assault prevention and awareness. For Fiscal Year 2024, Wisconsin is asking for funding to upgrade and enhance its Sex Offender Registry websites and database. New functionality will afford the Sex Offender Registry staff the ability to have an automated data compilation for an annual report, provide an email response to registrants after the registrant electronically submits information, and hopefully, with proper and preventative pieces of technology in place, allow registrants to upload current photographs. Additionally, a language translator will be programmed for the public web site and the Registrant Portal to lessen language barriers.  Another improvement will be training additional staff as facilitators of Darkness to Light Stewards of Children curriculum and purchasing workbooks to remove the financial obstacle for citizens who attend the presentations. Wisconsin is asking for funding to purchase specific prevention and education materials for the public, assist in paying for the publishing of the annual report, as well as funding staff for conference attendance to further education of sex offender management. Additionally, after analysis of tasks, requests for equipment to improve efficiencies in duties is being requested to include a training desk and aids, web cameras, portable microphones, laser presenters, phone chargers, extension cords and technology bags. Funding under the Fiscal Year 2024 SORNA Reallocation grant will enhance public safety and sex offender management, expand professional knowledge of staff, increase accountability of sex offender registrants and increased and improved prevention awareness against sexual predation.