New Jersey Section 2C:7-18 – Internet Registry Advisory Council.
Contents
New Jersey Section 2C:7-18 – Internet Registry Advisory Council
Introduction
New Jersey Section 2C:7-18 establishes the Internet Registry Advisory Council to provide recommendations to the Attorney General regarding the online sex offender registry maintained by the state. This law is part of New Jersey’s Megan’s Law, which requires sex offenders to register with law enforcement and provides for community notification of certain offenders’ whereabouts.
The Internet Registry Advisory Council was created in 1998 as online registries were just beginning to be developed across the country. The council provides important oversight and guidance for this public safety tool that can carry significant consequences for registrants. At the same time, the registry provides valuable information to help community members protect themselves and their families.
Below is an overview of the key provisions of 2C:7-18, the role and composition of the Advisory Council, its activities over the years, and policy considerations regarding the online registry.
Key Provisions of 2C:7-18
The main components of New Jersey Statute 2C:7-18 include:
- Establishing the Advisory Council: The law creates an Internet Registry Advisory Council to consult with and advise the Attorney General regarding the online sex offender registry.
- Council Composition: The Advisory Council consists of 12 members appointed by the Governor. Six members are chosen based on their expertise in law enforcement, prosecution, or related fields. The other six are public members appointed based on their knowledge or experience with sex offenders and victims’ rights.
- Duties: The Council’s role is to consult with and provide recommendations to the Attorney General concerning the online registry. This includes the form and content of the registry website as well as the information disclosed to the public.
- Meetings and Reports: The Council is required to meet at least quarterly and submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature summarizing its activities.
Advisory Council Membership and Activities
The Internet Registry Advisory Council consists of a diverse group of professionals and community members. Current and past members have included victim advocates, treatment providers, law enforcement leaders, county prosecutors, and academic researchers.
The Council provides an important forum to consider different viewpoints regarding the online registry. It has advised on the website format, what offender information is disclosed, exclusion requests, research initiatives, and other policy matters.
For example, in its 2020 Annual Report, the Council made recommendations regarding the display of offender risk assessment information, enhancing registry search functions, improving data integration, and conducting outreach to promote public awareness.
The Council has also supported research efforts to study the impacts of online registries and how they are viewed by different community members. In 2021, it backed a statewide public opinion survey to gather input on the registry website.
Policy Considerations and Impacts
While the Advisory Council provides oversight, there are ongoing policy discussions regarding online sex offender registries nationally and in New Jersey. Some key considerations include:
- Effectiveness: There are differing views on whether online registries effectively promote public safety and assist law enforcement. Some research has questioned if registries deter offenders or just lead to relocation.
- Information Display: What facts about offenders should be published online, and does broad disclosure about low-risk offenders undermine public trust?
- Unintended Consequences: Critics argue registries can lead to harassment, social isolation, and lost employment and housing opportunities that increase recidivism.
- Resource Costs: Maintaining detailed online registries requires significant staff time and funding that could support other prevention and enforcement.
- Implementation: There are concerns about the accuracy of registry information and the impacts on offenders who comply with registration obligations.
Balancing these factors remains a complex challenge. The Registry Advisory Council provides an avenue for airing different viewpoints to help shape policy that protects the public while considering collateral consequences. The makeup and activities of the Council have evolved over time and will likely continue adapting to meet future needs.
Conclusion
New Jersey’s Internet Registry Advisory Council plays an important oversight role regarding the state’s online sex offender registry. The Council brings together law enforcement, victims’ advocates, treatment experts, and other stakeholders to consult on the registry’s form and function.
While the registry aims to increase community safety by providing public access to offender information, it also carries unintended consequences. The Advisory Council serves as a forum to consider the myriad of factors involved in policymaking around online registries. Its guidance assists the Attorney General’s Office to operate the registry in a manner that balances often competing interests.
The Council has influenced decisions on what data is published, how it is presented, research initiatives, and public education efforts. As technology evolves and new research emerges, the Advisory Council will continue serving as an independent voice to help shape appropriate transparency, management, and use of the online registry. Its oversight and recommendations promote evidence-based policies that protect the public while considering the rights and reintegration of offenders.