In response to input from advocates and others around the country, the SMART office (it’s an acronym for an office created following approval of the Adam Walsh Act!) had modified its guidelines to permit states discretion to exempt information concerning sex offenders required to register on the basis of juvenile delinquency adjudications from public web-site postings. So, although registration requirements remain pretty much the same, this at least appears to allow Wisconsin some discretion on whether to include some youthful offenders on a registry that is then open to the public. We continue to express our concern that blanket decisions about making youthful offenders names available to the public serve neither to protect the public nor to assist youthful offenders in becoming positive, contributing members of our communities. So, we urge the Department of Corrections to propose rules and procedures that take advantage of this new-found flexibility and resist a one-size-fits-all registration/disclosure system for youthful sex offenders.
Wisconsin Legislators Fail To Approve Budget Measures That Would Help Immigrants Thrive
The Wisconsin Legislature passed a state budget that stripped out several provisions introduced by Governor Evers that would expand opportunity for immigrant families and communities. The Governor signed the budget passed by the legislature, and it is now law. Driver...