Megan's Law Terms and Definitions

Absconded

A warrant of arrest has been issued based upon the offender’s failure to comply with their sexual offender registration requirements.

Approved Registration/Verification Site

A site in this Commonwealth approved by the Pennsylvania State Police at which sexual offenders must register, update or verify their information.

Arrest Warrant

A document authorizing a law enforcement officer to make an arrest.

Incarcerated

An offender who is currently in custody of a federal, state, county, private, or juvenile correctional facility. Some incarcerated offenders may have work release privileges which allow them to leave the correctional facility on a daily or periodic basis for employment purposes.

Last Updated Date

The most recent date the offender's information was verified or updated. The term includes the last date the offender completed his or her mandatory monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual verification or the date on which the offender contacted the Pennsylvania State Police and updated any part of their sex offender registration information.

Megan's Law

Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 42, Chapter 97, Subchapters H and I.

Municipality

A city, borough, incorporated town or township.

Non-Compliant

An offender who has failed to report any registration information to the Pennsylvania State Police as required by Megan’s Law. The term includes an offender who has failed to appear at an approved Registration/Verification site during their required reporting period, as well as an offender who has failed to report a change or an addition to their required reporting information.

Offender Classification

Tier I Sexual Offender – 15 Year Registration

Tier II Sexual Offender – 25 Year Registration

Tier III Sexual Offender – Lifetime Registration

Ten-year registrant – 10 Year Registration

Lifetime Registrant – Lifetime Registration

Sexual Violent Predator – Lifetime Registration

Sexual Violent Delinquent Child – Lifetime Registration

Juvenile Offender – On December 29, 2014, In re: J.B., No.87 MAP 2014, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down SORNA's Juvenile Offender registration requirements as unconstitutional. Juveniles are no longer required to register in Pennsylvania, except if they are classified by the Court as a Sexually Violent Delinquent Child. This decision also includes Juveniles who are to register in another jurisdiction or foreign country.

Offender Status

Designation of an offender as absconded, incarcerated, non-compliant, transient, or etc.

Primary Offense

The offense for which the offender has been convicted / adjudicated which requires registration.

Registration Start Date

The date the sexual offender's information is made active on the Pennsylvania's Sexual Offender Registry.

Reporting Intervals

Tier I offenders – required to appear annually.
Tier II offenders – required to appear semiannually (twice a year).
Tier III offenders – required to appear quarterly (four times a year).
Ten-year registrant – required to appear annually.
Lifetime registrant – required to appear annually.
Transient offenders – required to appear monthly.
Sexually Violent Delinquent Child – required to appear quarterly (four times a year).
Sexually Violent Predator – required to appear quarterly (four times a year).

Sexual Offender

An individual required to register under Title 42, Pa.C.S. § 9799.13 or § 9799.54.

Sexual Offender Registry

Pennsylvania sexual offender management system that contains all sexual offender information reported to the Pennsylvania State Police.

Sexually Violent Predator

An individual convicted of a sexual offense enumerated in 42 Pa. C. S. Chapter 97, who is determined to be a Sexually Violent Predator by the Court. The term also includes an individual determined to be a Sexually Violent Predator or a similar designation where the determination occurred in another jurisdiction, a foreign country or by court martial following a judicial or administrative determination pursuant to a process similar to that of the Commonwealth’s.

Sexually Violent Delinquent Child

A child who has been found to be delinquent for an act of sexual violence which if committed by an adult would be a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 3121 (relating to rape), 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse), 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault), 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault), 3126 (relating to indecent assault) or 4302 (relating to incest) and who has been determined by the Court to be in need of commitment for involuntary treatment.