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Parent RIN:   1105-AA50
DOJ/LA RIN: 1105-AA94 Publication ID: Fall 1998 
Title: Lychner Act 
Abstract: The Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (the Wetterling Act) is contained in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, PL 103-322 (codified at 42 USC 14071). The Wetterling Act encourages States to establish registration systems for persons who are: (1) convicted of a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor; or (2) convicted of a sexually violent offense. The Department of Justice published final guidelines implementing the Wetterling Act on April 4, 1996 at 61 FR 15110. ^PMegan's Law, PL 104-145, amended subsection (d) of section 170101 of the Wetterling Act relating to the release of registration information. Megan's Law (1) eliminates a general requirement that information collected under State registration programs be treated as private data, and (2) substitutes mandatory language for previously permissive language concerning the release of relevant information that is necessary to protect the public concerning registered offenders. On July 21, 1997 at 62 FR 39009 the Department published final guidelines implementing Megan's Law and also clarifying other provisions of the Wetterling Act based upon experience gained from working with States concerning their sex offender registration systems. ^PThe Pam Lychner Sexual Offender Tracking and Identification Act, among other things, (1) requires the Attorney General to establish a national database at the FBI to track convicted sex offenders and (2) requires the FBI to handle registration directly for sex offenders residing in States that do not have "minimally sufficient" sex offender registration programs (as defined by the Act). The FBI will be issuing regulations to carry out its responsibilities under the Lychner Act. (See RIN 1105-AA56). ^PThe Lychner Act also amends the Wetterling Act to prescribe more stringent registration requirements in some areas. States have until October 3, 1999, to comply with the provisions of the Lychner Act that amend the Wetterling Act. The Attorney General also may grant a 2-year extension for States that are making good faith efforts to come into compliance. Section 115 of the Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Act (CJSA), PL 105-119, amended the Wetterling and Lychner Acts to afford greater flexibility to the States in establishing registration systems and to add some additional compliance requirements. States have the immediate benefit of the provisions that afford greater flexibility and have until November 2000 to comply with the additional requirements. ^PThe Attorney General issued proposed guidelines to implement the Wetterling Act, Megan's Law, the Lychner Act, and the CJSA Amendments on June 19, 1998. When made final, these guidelines effectively will replace the guidelines published on April 4, 1996, and on July 21, 1997. 
Agency: Department of Justice(DOJ)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: Not Yet Determined     (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: PL 104-145, Megan's Law    PL 103-322, sec 170101, Violent Crime Cntl & Law Enf Act, 1994   
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Proposed Guidelines  06/19/1998  63 FR 33696   
Final Guidelines  12/00/1998    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal, Local, State 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Agency Contact: