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, which includes the registration of sex offenders and community notification requirements. The bill amends current law by replacing the previous responsibility of the Violence Institute of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey with the AOC and State Parole Board. The study will evaluate the procedures used by county prosecutors and courts in determining sex offender tier designations and community notification, as well as the disposition of registered sex offenders since the law's enactment.

Additionally, the study will make recommendations for standardizing procedures related to risk assessment, tier assignments, and community notification, ensuring uniform application of the Attorney General's guidelines. It will also assess the effectiveness of the Internet registry in informing the public about dangerous sex offenders and explore whether a central agency should oversee the administration of Megan's Law. 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