Navajo Nation Council amends Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act

WINDOW ROCK - The Navajo Nation Council unanimously approved legislation July 21 to amend the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) in a further attempt to make sure all sex offenders on the Nation are registered.

The program was amended in relation to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which was enacted in 2006. It operates under the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety in all seven of the public safety police districts, each district has two designated police officers who are part of the task force.

The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act was created to protect the public on the Nation from convicted sex offenders, who are categorized into Tier I, II and III based on the severity of their crime. Tier I offenders are required to register for 15 years, Tier II for 25 years and Tier III for life.

"I am thankful that my colleagues have supported the efforts and initiatives of SORNA," said Council Delegate Raymond Smith Jr. (Houck, Klagetoh, Nahata Dziil, Tsé Si áni, Wide Ruins), who sponsored the legislation. "This legislation will allow the SORNA program to move forward.

According to Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety Sr. Police Officer Pamela Hurley-Vandever, who is the delegated officer to the SORNA program, the program's task is to ensure all convicted sex offenders who reside, work or attend any schools on the Nation are registered. She said that currently the Nation has 527 sex offenders.

Legislation No. 0235-16 was officially introduced by Delegate Shepherd on July 20, and will be considered by the Law and Order Committee, which serves as the final authority.

Council members voted 18-0 to pass the legislation.

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