Gavin Howe
Megan's Law, which aims to protect the public, especially children, from repeat sexual offenders, has resulted in compliance checks by law enforcement officials to verify that registered sex offenders are adhering to their registration requirements. These checks have led to the arrest of individuals found to be in violation of Megan's Law, with additional felony charges being imposed. Local police departments play a crucial role in enforcing compliance by conducting investigations, knocking on doors to confirm registrants' information, and addressing issues related to registration and harassment complaints.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Enhancing safety by making accurate, complete information about sexual offenders available to the public |
| Scope | 31 counties in Pennsylvania |
| Number of residential addresses checked | 4,758 |
| Number of offenders found | 4,249 |
| Number of arrests for Megan's Law violation | 51 |
| Additional charges | Felony charges for violating registration requirements |
| Law enforcement agencies involved | Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit, state troopers, Scranton police detectives, Lackawanna County detectives, state parole agents, county probation officers, and police departments from multiple municipalities |
| Information verified | Residence, place of employment, vehicle, and internet identifiers |
| Website | Megan's Law Website (California) |
| Exclusion from the website | Possible under certain conditions |
| Risk assessment information | Name of the instrument, score, date scored, and risk level |
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What You'll Learn
Compliance checks in Scranton, Lackawanna County
Compliance checks are conducted in Scranton, Lackawanna County, to ensure that all registered sex offenders are complying with Megan's Law. Megan's Law mandates that offenders provide up-to-date information about their residence, place of employment, vehicles, and internet identifiers. Non-compliance results in additional felony charges.
In April 2025, the Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit, in collaboration with local law enforcement, conducted unannounced compliance checks in Scranton. Authorities knocked on doors in various neighbourhoods to verify registrants' information. Out of 240 individuals investigated, at least 15 were found to be in violation of their registration requirements. This was the second such compliance check in Lackawanna County since January 2025, with the first check finding at least 12 out of 200 sex offenders in violation.
The Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Section has been actively conducting compliance checks across the state since February 2016. As of May 2017, they had completed checks at 4,758 residential addresses, finding 4,249 offenders compliant and arresting 51 for Megan's Law violations.
In addition to Megan's Law compliance checks, Scranton also enforces various other codes and regulations. The city has a Code Enforcement Officer who inspects and documents non-permitted work, oversees housing compliance, and handles animal control issues. Scranton also has a permitting process for construction projects, which includes zoning approval and, in some cases, appearances before the Zoning Hearing Board or Scranton City Council. Eating and drinking establishments must obtain a special license and pass a full health inspection.
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Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit
The Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit is responsible for conducting compliance checks to ensure that registered sex offenders are adhering to the requirements of Megan's Law. The unit organizes law enforcement details, including state troopers, local police detectives, county detectives, state parole agents, and county probation officers, to carry out these compliance checks.
Megan's Law in Pennsylvania requires the State Police to maintain a registry of individuals who have been convicted or pleaded guilty to certain sexual offenses. The registry includes those who reside, work, or attend school in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Section has conducted thousands of compliance checks in 31 counties since February 2016. During these checks, law enforcement officials visit the registered addresses to verify the information provided by the offenders, such as their residence, place of employment, vehicle, and internet identifiers.
In one such compliance check in Scranton, over 240 individuals were investigated, and at least 15 were found to be in violation of their registration requirements. These individuals faced additional felony charges. The Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit also conducted a similar compliance check in Lackawanna County in January, resulting in at least 12 violations out of 200 investigated sex offenders.
The Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law website provides the public with information about registered sex offenders. This information is intended to enhance public safety and protect individuals and their families from potential harm by recidivist acts. However, it is important to note that the website's information may not always be up-to-date or entirely accurate, and misuse of the information can result in criminal prosecution or civil liability.
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Pennsylvania Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act
In 1995, Pennsylvania adopted Megan's Law, which required offenders convicted of specific sexual crimes to register their personal information with the Pennsylvania State Police. This information, along with their photograph, is made available to the public via the Megan's Law website. Megan's Law exists to protect the public, especially children, from repeat sexual offenders. Offenders must provide up-to-date information about their residence, place of employment, vehicle, and internet identifiers, and they face additional felony charges if they do not comply.
The Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit conducts compliance checks to ensure that registered individuals are adhering to the requirements of Megan's Law. These checks are often unannounced and are carried out in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, including state troopers, local police detectives, county detectives, state parole agents, and county probation officers. During these checks, authorities visit the residences of registered offenders to verify the accuracy of the information provided.
In April 2025, a compliance check was conducted in Scranton, Lackawanna County, resulting in at least 15 individuals facing charges for non-compliance. This was the second such check in Lackawanna County since January 2025, with the previous one resulting in at least 12 individuals being found in violation.
In addition to Megan's Law, Pennsylvania has enacted other legislation to address sex offender registration and community notification. The Adam Walsh Act, implemented in 2011, was found to have certain unconstitutional provisions, leading to the enactment of Act 10 of 2018. This act specifies a ten-year or lifetime registration requirement for individuals who committed their offenses before December 20, 2012.
Furthermore, under Pennsylvania's Act 21 of 2003, the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board (SOAB) is responsible for assessing juvenile sex offenders transitioning out of the juvenile justice system. If an individual is classified as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) by the Court, they are subject to lifetime registration, mandatory counselling, and active community notification, which includes informing local residents, schools, and childcare centres about the offender's details.
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Pennsylvania State Police checks
In Pennsylvania, the State Police Megan's Law Unit is responsible for conducting Megan's Law compliance checks to ensure that registered sex offenders are adhering to the law. Megan's Law requires the State Police to maintain a registry of individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses and to make this information available to the public through a website. The law aims to enhance public safety, particularly in protecting children, by providing access to information about registered sex offenders.
The Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Section has conducted thousands of compliance checks across the state since 2016. These checks are typically unannounced and involve law enforcement officials, including state troopers, local police detectives, county detectives, state parole agents, and county probation officers. During these checks, authorities visit the residences of registered sex offenders to verify the accuracy of the information provided, such as their address, place of employment, vehicle, and internet identifiers.
In one such compliance check in Scranton, Lackawanna County, out of 240 individuals investigated, at least 15 were found to be in violation of their registration requirements and faced additional felony charges. This was the second compliance check conducted by authorities in Lackawanna County since January, underscoring the ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with Megan's Law.
It is important to note that the information on the Megan's Law website is provided by the registrants themselves and may contain outdated or inaccurate details. The State Police advises the public to exercise caution when using this information and prohibits any misuse, such as threatening or harassing registrants or their families. The website is solely intended as a means of public protection, and any other use is prohibited.
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California Megan's Law Website
In California, Megan's Law was enacted in 1996 as Penal Code § 290.46. The law mandates the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to notify the public about specified registered sex offenders. The California Megan's Law Website, www.meganslaw.ca.gov, is a searchable tool that provides the public with information on registered sex offenders. This information is provided to enable members of local communities to protect themselves and their children.
Megan's Law is named after seven-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and killed by a known registered sex offender who had moved across the street from her family without their knowledge. Following the tragedy, the Kanka family sought to have local communities warned about sex offenders in their area.
Law enforcement officials conduct compliance checks to ensure that registered individuals are complying with Megan's Law. During these investigations, authorities knock on doors to confirm that registrants have provided accurate information, such as residence, place of employment, vehicle, and internet identifiers. Compliance checks have resulted in the identification of individuals violating their registration requirements, leading to additional felony charges.
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, for example, more than a dozen individuals faced charges after Megan's Law compliance checks. The Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit organized unannounced compliance checks for registered individuals, resulting in at least 15 out of 240 individuals investigated found to be in violation of their registration requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Megan's Law mandates that local police perform compliance checks to ensure that sexual offenders provide accurate information, such as their residence, place of employment, vehicle, and internet identifiers.
Violation of Megan's Law results in additional felony charges.
In April 2025, the Pennsylvania State Police Megan's Law Unit organized a detail to perform unannounced compliance checks in Scranton, resulting in at least 15 individuals facing charges. In 2018, the Pennsylvania State Police conducted thousands of compliance checks in 31 counties, leading to 51 arrests.
