History of the Sex Offender Registry Prior to 1994 only five states required convicted sex offenders to register their addresses with local law enforcement. As recognition of the severity of this problem grew, Congress passed the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Act, 42 U.S.C. §§14071, et seq. (“Wetterling Act”). This requires state implementation of a sex-offender registration program or a 10 percent forfeiture of federal funds for state and local law enforcement under the Byrne Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Justice. Today, all fifty states have sex offender registries. The realization registration alone was not enough came after the tragic murder of 7-year-old Megan Kanka by a released sex offender living on her street. The public outcry created a call for programs to provide the public with information regarding released sex offenders. In 1996 Congress passed a federal law mandating state community notification programs. Megan’s Law, section (e) of the Wetterling Act, requires all states to conduct community notification but does not set out specific forms and methods, other than requiring the creation of internet sites containing state sex-offender information. Beyond that requirement, states are given broad discretion in creating their own policies.  O.C.G.A. 42-1-12 (i)(3) states "the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or any sheriff maintaining records required under this code section shall release relevant information collected under this code section that is necessary to protect the public." However, due to the fact this information is continually changing, the Meriwether County Sheriff's Department makes no expressed or implied guarantee concerning the accuracy of this information. Individuals, pursuant to court order, report to the Sheriff's Department and provide their current address and other information. This information is provided by the Sheriff's Department to the public in compliance with O.C.G.A. 42-1-12. CLICK HERE to view the new legislation.  CLICK HERE to view and search the Georgia Sex Offender Registry. This list will provide you with a database listing of sex offenders registered in Meriwether County as well as other counties in Georgia. The list is maintained by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. CLICK HERE  for the Georgia Sex Offenders Notification site that allows sign-up for free e-mail notifications when an individual is added to the Georgia Sex Offender Registry in your neighborhood, city, zip code, etc. CLICK HERE  for a listing of the registered sex offenders living in Meriwether County. Click on the offender's name for further information and photo.