Megan’s Law for Texas

updated 2/6/2023

Contact Person:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Crime Records Division (Registration Inquiries) – (512) 424-2800
Intelligence & Counter Terrorism Division (Compliance/Enforcement Inquiries) – (512) 377-0010 Sex Offender Registration Program – MSC 0230
Texas Department of Public Safety
PO Box 4143
Austin TX 78765-4143Registration questions: txsor@dps.texas.gov
Compliance and enforcement related issues: SexOffender_Compliance@dps.texas.gov

Offenders Required to Register:

A person who has a reportable conviction or adjudication received on or after September 1, 1970, who is an extra-jurisdictional registrant, or who is required to register as a condition of parole, release to mandatory supervision, or community supervision.

Information Collected:

The Texas Sex Offender Registration Program requires a local law enforcement authority to obtain the following information from the sex offender:

the person’s full name, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye color, hair color, social security number, driver’s license number, shoe size, home address or a detailed description of each geographical location at which the person resides or intends to reside, each alias, and any home, work or cellular phone number of the person;
a recent color photograph or, if possible, an electronic digital image of the person and a complete set of the person’s fingerprints;
the type of offense the person was convicted of, the age of the victim, the date of conviction, and the punishment received;
an indication as to whether the person is discharged, paroled, or released on juvenile probation, community supervision, or mandatory supervision;
an indication of each business, occupational, or professional license, certificate, permit, or other authorization issued by a licensing authority that is held or sought by the person;
an indication as to whether the person is or will be employed, carrying on a vocation, or a student at a particular public or private institution of higher education in this state or another state, and the name and address of that institution;
the identification of any “online identifier” established or used by the person;
the vehicle registration information, including the make, model, vehicle identification number, color, and license plate number, of any vehicle owned by the person, if the person has a reportable conviction or adjudication for an offense under:
1. Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8), Penal Code; or
2. Section 20A.03, Penal Code, if based partly or wholly on conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) of that code; and
any other information required by the department (DPS).

Administrating Agency:

Texas Department of Public Safety (Repository), local law enforcement authorities (Registrars)

Timeframe for Registration:

Not later than 7 days after arrival in the municipality or county of residence.

Applies to Out of State Offenders:

Yes.

Duration of Requirement:

Lifetime registration. Offenses that do not require lifetime registration register until the 10th anniversary of the date of discharge from supervision. Juvenile sex offenders, those who register on the basis of an adjudication of delinquent conduct, register until the 10th anniversary of the date on which the disposition of their case was made or the juvenile completes the terms of the disposition, whichever date is later. Juvenile sex offenders, those who register on the basis of a conviction or an order of deferred adjudication in a juvenile case that was transferred to a district or a criminal district court, register until the 10th anniversary of the date on which the offender was released from a penal institution or discharges community supervision or the court dismissed the criminal proceedings and discharges the person, whichever date is later. Extrajurisdictional or persons required to register as a condition of supervision shall register for the length of duty required by statute.

Verification of Address:

Civilly Committed registrants residing at a civil commitment center – annually.
Civilly Committed registrants not residing at a civil commitment center – every 30 days following the date the person first registered; or if applicable, the date the person moved from the center.
Adult registrants with two or more offenses defined as sexually violent – every 90 days.
All other registrants – annually.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

If requirement is based on a 10-year registration requirement – State jail felony.
If requirement is based on lifetime registration/annual verification requirement – third degree felony.
If requirement is based on lifetime registration/90-day verification – second degree felony.
If civilly committed – second degree felony.
Punishment is enhanced one level if offender has previously been convicted of non-compliance.

Access to Information:

Registry data is public information (including the risk level and photograph of the offender) with the exception of certain information designated as non-public by statute. Postcard notification to community on registrants who are civilly committed or who are assessed as High Risk. Citizens may contact their local law enforcement agency or visit the Texas Department of Public Safety’s online registry for a listing of reported registrants.

Confidentiality Provision:

Registration information required for law enforcement purposes is not released to the public. A registrant’s Social Security Number, phone numbers, driver’s license number, online identifiers, information required by the Texas Department of Public Safety, information regarding an employer’s name, address, or telephone number and information which would identify the victim is also non-public.

Number Registered:

101,092 active reported registrants as of 2/2/2023

Percent Compliance:

N/A

Internet Access:

Texas Sex Offender Registry