Maryland

updated 5/02/07

Contact Person: Allison Gilford (410) 585-3649
Offenders Required to Register: Child Sex Offenders who have been convicted in Maryland of the following offenses that occurred on or after October 1, 1995 (or before October 1, 1995, if in the custody or under the supervision of a "supervising authority" on October 1, 2001): Child Sexual Abuse; Rape First Degree of a child under age 15; Rape Second Degree of a child under age 15; Sex Offense First Degree of a child under age 15; Sex Offense Second Degree of a child under age 15;Sex Offense Third Degree of a child under age 15; Sex Offense Fourth Degree of a child under age 15 and ordered by the court to register. Offenders who have been (1) convicted in Maryland of the following offenses that occurred on or after October 1, 1997; and (2) ordered by the court to register: Abduction or Kidnapping of a child under age 16; Kidnapping of a child under age 18; False Imprisonment (common law) of a child under age 18 by an individual who is not the child's parent; Sex Offense Fourth Degree of a child under 18; Solicitation of a child under the age of 18 to engage in sexual conduct; Child pornography; Operating a bawdyhouse, pandering, and other offenses involving prostitution if the intended prostitute is under age 18; Any crime that involves conduct which, by its nature, is a sexual offense against a child under the age of 18; Any attempt to commit a crime listed above. Sexually Violent Offenders who have been convicted in Maryland of the following offenses that occurred on or after October 1, 1997 (or before July 1, 1997, if in the custody or under the supervision of a "supervising authority" on October 1, 2001): Rape First Degree; Rape Second Degree; Sex Offense First Degree; Sex Offense Second Degree; Sex Offense Third Degree; Attempted Rape or Sexual Offense; (Assault with Intent to Commit Rape First Degree, Rape Second Degree, Sex Offense First Degree, or Sex Offense Second Degree; Any attempt to commit an offense listed above as prohibited on or before September 30, 1996). Sexually Violent Predators who have been convicted of a second or subsequent sexually violent offense (listed under Sexually Violent Offenders, above) that occurred on or after October 1, 1997. They have also been determined to be at risk of committing a subsequent sexually violent offense.
Information Collected: Name, aliases, address, and social security number. Photograph and fingerprints. Place of employment or school. Category of registrant (Child Sexual Offender, Offender, Sexually Violent Offender, or Sexually Violent Predator), term (ten years or life), and if resident or non-resident (student or worker) registrant. Description of crime (that triggers the requirement to register). Dates of conviction, offense, and release. Victim's date of birth and jurisdiction (location of the state, federal, military, or tribal court where convicted and sentenced).
Administrating Agency: Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, local law enforcement.
Timeframe for Registration: Registrants must register on or before the date that the registrant is released or within seven days of moving into Maryland, or within 14 days of beginning employment or registering as a student in Maryland. In addition, Child Sexual Offenders who are Maryland residents must register with the designated local law enforcement agency in the county in which they will reside within seven days of "release" or within seven days of registering with the supervising authority if moving into Maryland. Non-resident Child Sexual Offenders must also register within seven days with the designated local law enforcement agency in the county where they will work or attend school.
Applies to Out of State Offenders: An individual must register as a Child Sexual Offender if, before moving into this state, the individual was required to register by another state, federal, military, or Native American tribal court for an offense occurring before October 1, 1995. An individual must register as an Offender, Sexually Violent Offender, or Sexually Violent Predator if, before moving into this state, the individual was required to register by another state, federal, military, or Native American tribal court for an offense occurring before July 1, 1997.
Duration of Requirement: The term of registration begins with the registrant's "release," as outlined above. All registrants must register for 10 years, or for life if the registrant has been: Convicted of Rape First or Second Degree or Sex Offense First, Second, or Third Degree; or determined to be a Sexually Violent Predator; or previously required to register and has been convicted of a subsequent violation of any offense requiring registration. Child Sexual Offenders must register initially with both the appropriate supervising authority and the designated local law enforcement agency; thereafter, they must register annually in person with the designated local law enforcement agency. Offenders and Sexually Violent Offenders must register initially with the appropriate supervising authority and thereafter annually by mail with the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Sexually Violent Predators must register initially with the appropriate supervising authority and thereafter every 90 days by mail with the designated local law enforcement agency. Non-resident registrants who are working or attending school in Maryland must register for the period of time specified for the category of registration, or until the registrant's employment or student enrollment in Maryland ends (if that occurs before termination of the registration period).
Verification of Address: Yes - annually with local law enforcement. Child sex offenders must register in person. Annually, a non-forwardable letter is sent to each offender's last known residence. Sexually Violent Predators are required to submit verification of current address to the designated local law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the registrant lives every 90 days for life.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: A registrant who fails to register or who provides false information may be found guilty of a misdemeanor and may be subject to imprisonment in the penitentiary for up to three years or a fine of up to $5,000 or both.
Access to Information: To obtain a copy of the Registry, you can access the Department's website and search the registry or download a hard copy of the registry free of charge.  If you desire a hard copy of the registry, there is a fee of $15.50.  The check or money order should be made payable to Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708. 
Confidentiality Provision: No
Number Registered: 4,375 Total number of Registered Sex Offenders (3,110 sex offenders against children) updated 5/02/07
Percent Compliance: 90%
Internet Access: http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/sor/


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