Feds Grant Maine Extension to Comply with Adam Walsh Law

7-15-2010 Washington DC:

The state stands to lose federal funds if it doesn't comply with the law, but state officials say a state Supreme Court decision has hampered their efforts to do so.

Federal officials have granted Maine a one-year extension to comply with provisions of the Adam Walsh law. States that don't comply with the sex offender registration requirements stand to lose federal funds, but Maine Public Safety Commissioner Anne Jordan says a state Supreme Court ruling has put Maine in a bind.

"Maine is unique in that we have a Maine Supreme Court decision that has said we're not allowed to comply with Adam Walsh in many ways," she says. "So we've been working with what's called the Smart Office in Washington and they've become much more flexible in understanding the implications of Adam Walsh on states."

At issue is who gets listed on the state's sex offender registry. The U.S. Justice Department acknowledges that Maine has made progress in complying with the law's requirements. But Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, a Brunswick Democrat who co-chairs the Criminal Justice Committee, says he doubts that lawmakers will defy Maine's high court. He says if Congress doesn't change the law, Maine might have give up the $166,000 a year in grant funds, the federal penalty for not complying. ..Source.. by MPBN.com