This bill mandates that the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), in collaboration with the State Parole Board, conduct a comprehensive study on the implementation and application of Megan's Law. The previous responsibility for this study was assigned to the Violence Institute of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, but the study was never completed. The new study will focus on the registration of sex offenders and community notification processes, evaluating current procedures used by county prosecutors and courts in determining sex offender tier designations and implementing community notifications.

The study will also assess the disposition of registered sex offenders assigned a tier rating since the enactment of Megan's Law, or from the earliest date with reliable records. It aims to make recommendations for standardizing procedures related to risk assessment, tier designations, and community notification, ensuring uniform application of the Attorney General's guidelines. Additionally, the study will review the effectiveness of the Internet registry in informing the public about dangerous sex offenders and consider whether a central agency should oversee the administration of Megan's Law and the Internet registry. The AOC and State Parole Board are required to submit a report of their findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 12 months of the bill's effective date and biannually thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:7-21