Megan’s Law for Wisconsin
updated 2/6/2023
| Contact Person: | Department of Corrections – Grace Knutson (608) 516-2269 grace.knutson@wisconsin.gov |
|---|---|
| Offenders Required to Register: | Adult and juvenile sex offenders who, on or after 12/25/93, were: sentenced; in an institutional setting; discharged; or on field supervision. |
| Information Collected: | Name, aliases, DOB, identifying information, crime, date of conviction, county or state of offense, date or release, address, place of employment, place of school enrollment, email addresses and internet identifiers, and DNA sample. |
| Administrating Agency: | State Department of Corrections. |
| Timeframe for Registration: | Before release from prison, within 10 days after placement on supervision, or before entering Wisconsin from another state. Changes to registry information must occur prior to changing address, school enrollment, or employment. It must also occur at least 10 days in advance of relocation to another state. |
| Applies to Out of State Offenders: | Yes. |
| Duration of Requirement: | Generally, people must register for 15 years if they have had one conviction for an included offense, and for life if they have more than one conviction. Certain crimes require life registration, even if there is only one conviction. Please consult WI Statute 301.45 for more detailed information. |
| Verification of Address: | Sexually Violent Persons (committed under Wisconsin State Statute Chapter 980) must verify their registry information with the Department of Corrections every 90 days. All other registrants must verify their information annually, at a minimum. All registrants are subject to random and unscheduled verification activities by the Department of Correctionsand/or law enforcement. All registrants are notified of their verification requirements, and must comply as directed. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance: | Fine not to exceed $10,000 and imprisonment not to exceed 6 years or both. |
| Access to Information: | Victims and victims’ families have direct access to SORP information related to their offender(s) via a toll-free number. Victims may also request written notification of the offender’s change of address or similar information. Information is available to victims through http://WIVictimsVoice.org |
| Confidentiality Provision: | Wisconsin law provides criminal penalties for any person who deliberately misuses registry information, including the use of information from the registry to harass, intimidate, or discriminate unlawfully against a person. Wisconsin law generally prohibits the release of any registry information that identifies victims. Wisconsin ‘s Amie’s Law, allows law enforcement to release information to the public regarding a juvenile, or regarding any proceeding that occurred when an adult registrant was a juvenile. |
| Number Registered: | 26,351 as of 02/06/23 |
| Percent Compliance: | 88% |
| Internet | Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry
Questions: 608 -240-5830 |