What is Megan’s Law?
Megan's Law is named after seven-year-old Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a known child molester who had moved across the street from the family without their knowledge. In the wake of the tragedy, the Kanka's sought to have local communities warned about sex offenders in the area.

Megan's Law arms the public with certain information on the whereabouts of dangerous sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children. The law also authorizes local law enforcement to notify the public about high-risk and serious sex offenders who reside in, are employed in, or frequent the community.

The law is not intended to punish the offender and specifically prohibits using the information to harass or commit any crime against the offender.

The Courts Uphold Megan’s Laws
The Supreme Court ruled that states may put pictures of convicted sex offenders on the Internet, so that law enforcement may use the Web to warn of potential predators in neighborhoods.

In a separate narrow ruling, the court turned back a challenge from offenders who argued they deserved a chance to prove they aren't dangerous to avoid having their pictures and addresses put on the Internet.

The decisions came in the Supreme Court's first review of Megan's laws — and have far-reaching implications because every state and the federal government have sex-offender registry laws.