SORNA Implementation Survey

U.S. Government Accountability Office

	To learn more about completing the questionnaire, printing your responses, and who to contact if you have questions, click here for help.

	(View responses)

Section 1: Status of SORNA Implementation and SMART Office Review

1.	The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART Office) is responsible for, among other things, administering the standards for SORNA, which includes reviewing and advising on the efforts of covered jurisdictions to implement the requirements of the law. Has your jurisdiction submitted an implementation package to the SMART Office for review? Click one button.

			Yes - Continue to question 2
			No - In the space below, please explain why you have not.
	(View responses)

	Please explain why you have not submitted an implementation package; then skip to question 4.

	(View responses)

2.	What determination, if any, has the SMART Office made regarding whether your jurisdiction has substantially implemented the requirements of SORNA? Click one button.

			The SMART Office determined that my jurisdiction has substantially implemented the requirements of SORNA - Skip to question 12
			The SMART Office determined that my jurisdiction has not yet substantially implemented the requirements of SORNA - Continue to question 3
			The SMART Office has not yet made a determination on the implementation status of my jurisdiction - Skip to question 4
	(View responses)

3.	Do you agree with the SMART Office's determination that your jurisdiction has not yet substantially implemented the requirements of SORNA? Click one button.

			Yes - Continue to question 4
			No - In the space below, please explain why not.
			Don't know - Continue to question 4
	(View responses)

	Please explain why you disagree with the SMART Office's determination.

	(View responses)

4.	Is your jurisdiction actively working to substantially implement the requirements of SORNA? Click one button.

			Yes - Continue to question 5
			No - In the space below, please explain why not.
			Don't know - Continue to question 5
	(View responses)

	Please explain why you are not actively working to substantially implement the requirements of SORNA; then skip to question 6.

	(View responses)

5.	When does your jurisdiction plan to submit an (updated) implementation package to the SMART Office for review? Click one button.

			By the end of calendar year 2012
			In calendar year 2013
			After calendar year 2013
			Don't know
	(View responses)

Status of SORNA Implementation and SMART Office Review (cont'd)

6.	According to the SMART Office, when jurisdictions submit substantial implementation materials for review, the implementation package should include the Substantial Implementation Checklist tool, with materials organized into the following 14 sections, which cover the major requirements of SORNA. In your opinion, how clear, if at all, is the SMART Office's published guidance, including the checklist tool, covering each of the following 14 sections of requirements? Click one button in each row.

	(View responses)

		Very clear	Somewhat clear	Not at all clear	Don't know
	I. Immediate Transfer of Information (View responses)
	II. Offenses that Must Be Included in the Registry (View responses)
	III. Tiering of Offenses (View responses)
	IV. Required Registration Information (View responses)
	V. Where Registration Is Required (View responses)
	VI. Initial Registration: Timing and Notice (View responses)
	VII. Initial Registration: Retroactive Classes of Offenders (View responses)

		Very clear	Somewhat clear	Not at all clear	Don't know
	VIII. Keeping the Registration Current (View responses)
	IX. Verification/Appearance Requirements (View responses)
	X. Public Registry Website Requirements (View responses)
	XI. Community Notification (View responses)
	XII. Failure to Register as a Sex Offender: State Penalty (View responses)
	XIII. When Sex Offender Fails to Appear for Registration (View responses)
	XIV. When a Jurisdiction Has Information That a Sex Offender May Have Absconded (View responses)

7.	If you answered "Somewhat clear" or "Not at all clear" to any of the above, please describe what is unclear about the guidance and provide suggestions, if any, for improving the clarity of the guidance.

	(View responses)

8.	Pursuant to SORNA, designated federally recognized Indian tribes are entitled to elect to become SORNA registration and notification jurisdictions or to delegate the responsibility to the state in which they are located. If a state has a tribe or tribes located within its boundaries that have elected to implement SORNA, the SMART Office requests that it provide additional information when submitting substantial implementation materials for review. If tribal considerations are applicable in your jurisdiction, in your opinion, how clear, if at all, is the SMART Office's published guidance for that section of requirements? Click one button.

			Very clear
			Somewhat clear - In the space below, please explain why.
			Not at all clear - In the space below, please explain why.
			Don't know
			Not applicable
	(View responses)

	If you answered "Somewhat clear" or "Not at all clear", please describe what is unclear about the guidance on tribal considerations and provide suggestions, if any, for improving the clarity of the guidance.

	(View responses)

9.	In your opinion, how clear, if at all, are the criteria the SMART Office use to determine whether a jurisdiction has substantially implemented the requirements of SORNA? Click one button.

			Very clear
			Somewhat clear
			Not at all clear
			Don't know
	(View responses)

10.	How responsive, if at all, has the SMART Office been to your jurisdiction's questions regarding substantial implementation requirements? Click one button.

			Very responsive
			Moderately responsive
			Slightly responsive
			Not at all responsive
			We have not contacted the SMART Office
	(View responses)

11.	If you would like to add further comment to any of your answers in this section of the questionnaire (implementation status or the SMART office review), please do so in the space below.

	(View responses)

Section 2: Challenges Regarding SORNA Implementation

12.	How much of a challenge, if at all, have the following been to your jurisdiction's efforts to substantially implement SORNA? Click one button in each row.

	(View responses)

		Major challenge	Minor challenge	Not a challenge	Don't know
	a. Reconciling conflicts between SORNA and state constitution (View responses)
	b. Reconciling conflicts between SORNA and state laws (View responses)
	c. Applying the conviction-based tiering structure (View responses)
	d. Applying the registration requirements to certain types of offenses (View responses)
	e. Applying the juvenile registration requirements (View responses)
	f. Applying the requirements retroactively (View responses)
	g. Applying the frequency of registration requirements (View responses)

		Major challenge	Minor challenge	Not a challenge	Don't know
	h. Applying the in-person appearances or verification requirements (View responses)
	i. Applying the duration of registration requirements (View responses)
	j. Applying the requirements for registration information (such as internet identifiers, addresses, and text of registration offense) (View responses)
	k. Applying the public (community) notification requirements (View responses)
	l. Covering the costs associated with implementation of SORNA (View responses)
	m. Generating the political will to implement the necessary changes (View responses)
	n. Other challenges - describe in box below: (View responses)

	If other challenges, please describe:

	(View responses)

13.	If you answered "Major Challenge" or "Minor Challenge" to any of the above, please explain why it is or was a challenge.

	(View responses)

14.	For each major or minor challenge discussed above, what, if anything, is your jurisdiction doing (or did your jurisdiction do) to address it?

	(View responses)

15.	For each major or minor challenge discussed above, what, if anything, could DOJ or the SMART Office do to address it?

	(View responses)

16.	Are any of the major or minor challenges discussed above keeping your jurisdiction from substantially implementing SORNA? Click one button.

			Yes - In the space below, please describe.
			No - Continue to question 17
			Don't know - Continue to question 17
			Not applicable, we have already implemented - Continue to question 17
	(View responses)

	Please describe how any challenges are keeping you from implementing SORNA.

	(View responses)

17.	Are there any aspects of SORNA as currently written that you would suggest changing? Click one button.

			Yes - Continue to question 18
			No - Skip to question 19
			Don't know - Skip to question 19
	(View responses)

18.	What changes would you suggest and why?

	(View responses)

Challenges Regarding SORNA Implementation (cont'd)

19.	Has your office ever applied for a grant from the SMART Office's Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program to help implement the requirements of SORNA? Click one button.

			Yes
			No - In the space below, please explain why your office has not.
			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Please describe why your office has not applied for a grant, then skip to question 21.

	(View responses)

20.	Has your office ever received any grant funding from the SMART Office's Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program to help implement the requirements of SORNA? Click one button.

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
	(View responses)

21.	Has your jurisdiction received any non-grant assistance from DOJ or the SMART Office, such as specialized training or technical assistance, to help implement the requirements of SORNA? Click one button.

			Yes - Continue to question 22
			No - Skip to question 24
			Don't know - Skip to question 24
	(View responses)

22.	What type(s) of non-grant assistance did your jurisdiction receive from DOJ or the SMART Office to help implement the requirements of SORNA?

	(View responses)

23.	How useful, if at all, has this non-grant assistance from DOJ or the SMART Office been to your jurisdiction's efforts to implement SORNA? Click one button.

			Very useful
			Moderately useful
			Slightly useful
			Not at all useful
			Don't know
	(View responses)

24.	Does your jurisdiction use the SORNA Exchange Portal? Click one button.

			Yes - Continue to question 25
			No - In the space below, please explain why not.
			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Please describe why your jurisdiction does not use the SORNA Exchange Portal, then skip to question 26.

	(View responses)

25.	How useful, if at all, is the SORNA Exchange Portal to your jurisdiction? Click one button.

			Very useful
			Moderately useful
			Slightly useful
			Not at all useful
			Don't know
	(View responses)

	Please explain why the SORNA Exchange Portal is or is not useful.

	(View responses)

26.	If you would like to add further comment to any of your answers in this section of the questionnaire (challenges with implementation), please provide below.

	(View responses)

Section 3: Effects of SORNA Implementation

27.	To what extent, if any, has your jurisdiction made changes to your sex offender registration and notification requirements in order to implement SORNA? Click one button.

			To a great extent
			To a moderate extent
			To a slight extent
			No changes made - Skip to question 32
			Don't know - Skip to question 32
	(View responses)

28.	Please describe the key changes your jurisdiction made to your sex offender registration and notification requirements in order to implement SORNA.

	(View responses)

29.	In general, what positive effects, if any, have you observed or do you expect of implementing these changes in your jurisdiction? (This could include effects on information sharing, law enforcement resources, monitoring sex offenders, etc.)

	(View responses)

30.	In general, what negative effects, if any, have you observed or do you expect of implementing these changes in your jurisdiction? (This could include effects on information sharing, law enforcement resources, monitoring sex offenders, etc.)

	(View responses)

31.	To the best of your knowledge, have you observed an increase or decrease in the following areas as a result of implementing SORNA requirements? Click one button in each row.

	(View responses)

		Large increase	Slight increase	No change	Slight decrease	Large decrease	Don't know
	a. Number of registered adult sex offenders (View responses)
	b. Number of registered juvenile sex offenders (View responses)
	c. Number of adult sex offenders who are lifetime registrants (View responses)
	d. Number of juvenile sex offenders who are lifetime registrants (View responses)

32.	Are you aware of any studies on the effects of SORNA requirements in your jurisdiction? Click one button.

			Yes
			No
	(View responses)

33.	If you would like to add further comment to any of your answers in this section of the questionnaire (effects of SORNA implementation), please provide below.

	(View responses)

Section 4: Tracking Sex Offenders Entering or Leaving the U.S.

34.	Under section 128 of SORNA, the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security, is required to establish a system for informing domestic jurisdictions about persons entering the United States who are required to register under SORNA. Further, 18 U.S.C. 2250(a)(2)(B) makes it a federal crime for a sex offender required to register under SORNA to travel in foreign commerce and knowingly fail to register or update a registration in the U.S., as required by SORNA. Prior to receiving this questionnaire, was your jurisdiction aware that DOJ's SORNA guidelines state that registered sex offenders must inform their jurisdiction about plans to travel outside of the United States at least 21 days prior to such travel? Click one button.

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
	(View responses)

35.	Are registered sex offenders in your jurisdiction required to provide advance notice of international travel? Click one button.

			Yes - Continue to question 36
			No - In the space below, please explain why not.
	(View responses)

	Please explain why registered sex offenders are not required to provide advance notice of international travel.

	(View responses)

36.	Prior to receiving this questionnaire, was your jurisdiction aware that DOJ's SORNA guidelines state that registered sex offenders must provide passport information when notifying a jurisdiction about their plans to travel outside of the United States? Click one button.

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
	(View responses)

37.	Does your jurisdiction collect passport information from registered sex offenders? Click one button.

			Yes, at the time of registration - Continue to question 38
			Yes, prior to travel - Continue to question 38
			No, it does not collect passport information - In the space below, please explain why not.
	(View responses)

	Please explain why passport information is not collected.

	(View responses)

38.	What challenges, if any, has your jurisdiction experienced in ensuring that registered sex offenders who plan to travel outside of the United States notify the jurisdiction OR in collecting passport information from registered sex offenders?

	(View responses)

39.	What actions, if any, has your jurisdiction taken to address these challenges?

	(View responses)

40.	What actions, if any, could the federal government take to address these challenges?

	(View responses)

Tracking Sex Offenders Entering or Leaving the U.S. (cont'd)

41.	Prior to receiving this questionnaire, was your jurisdiction aware of DOJ's requirement (identified in the SORNA Supplemental Guidelines) to inform the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) about any registered sex offenders who, to the jurisdiction's knowledge, plan to travel outside of the United States? Click one button.

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
	(View responses)

42.	Prior to receiving this questionnaire, was your jurisdiction aware of the Notification of International Travel of Sex Offender form that jurisdictions are to complete and submit to USMS when a registered sex offender informs the jurisdiction of plans to travel outside the United States? Click one button.

			Yes
			No
			Don't know
	(View responses)

43.	What challenges, if any, have you experienced in notifying USMS about sex offenders leaving the U.S.?

	(View responses)

44.	In your opinion, what can USMS and other relevant federal agencies do to address any challenges identified above?

	(View responses)

45.	If you would like to add further comment to any of your answers in this section of the questionnaire (tracking sex offenders entering or leaving the U.S.), please provide below.

	(View responses)

Submit your Questionnaire

46.	Are you done with this questionnaire? Clicking "Yes" below tells GAO that your answers are final. We will not use your answers unless the "Yes" button is checked when you last exit the questionnaire.

			Yes
			No
	(View responses)

47.	Would you like a record of your answers to this questionnaire? If so, click here to view and print a summary of your responses. Click on the Save & Exit Questionnaire button below to exit the survey. Thank you for completing this questionnaire!

	(View responses)

Please wait, file upload in progress.