Us Code § 20919 - Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 20919 — Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 20919. Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register
(a) In general
An appropriate official shall, shortly before release of the sex offender from custody, or, if the sex offender is not in custody, immediately after the sentencing of the sex offender, for the offense giving rise to the duty to register—
(1) inform the sex offender of the duties of a sex offender under this subchapter and explain those duties;
(2) require the sex offender to read and sign a form stating that the duty to register has been explained and that the sex offender understands the registration requirement; and
(3) ensure that the sex offender is registered.
(b) Notification of sex offenders who cannot comply with subsection (a)
The Attorney General shall prescribe rules for the notification of sex offenders who cannot be registered in accordance with subsection (a).
(Pub. L. 109–248, title I, §117, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 595.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was in the original "this title", meaning title I of Pub. L. 109–248, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 590, known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. For complete classification of title I to the Code, see Short Title of 2006 Act note set out under section 10101 of this title and Tables.
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 16917 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.
About This Section
34 U.S.C. § 20919 is part of Title 34 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 34 U.S.C. § 20919. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.