As we approach the end of 2024, let us spend a few moments to reflect on the 30th anniversary of Megan’s Law.
In 1994, New Jersey led the nation with the passage of this now historic legislation, enacted in response to the tragedy experienced by seven-year-old Megan Kanka and her family from Hamilton, NJ. The law, named in Megan’s honor, is intended to inform members of the public about the presence of sex offenders in their community.
Megan’s Law is now a nationally recognized model – every state has adopted it in some form, and Congress further broadened its scope when it enacted the International Megan’s Law in 2016.
Today, New Jersey has one of the lowest rates of sexual assault/rape in the nation, due to the combination of effective prosecution, judicial sentencing, and post incarceration Parole Supervision.
The Reentry Coalition of New Jersey is proud to provide contracted services to State criminal justice agencies in their efforts to promote evidenced-based principles to reduce the risk of re-offense for all individuals – including more than 9,000 individuals under State Parole supervision, who have been convicted for Megan’s Law crimes.
To learn more about Megan’s Law, visit: https://www.njoag.gov/megans-law/
