AWA (Adam Walsh Act)

The Adam Walsh Act (AWA) is a U.S. federal law enacted in 2006 aimed at improving the management and monitoring of sex offenders. It establishes a national database and standardizes state registration requirements for individuals convicted of certain sexual offenses, ensuring authorities can track and share information more effectively. The law also categorizes offenders into zones of varying risk levels to inform law enforcement and the public. Overall, the AWA seeks to enhance public safety by creating a more consistent and transparent system for managing sex offender information nationwide.