In 1947, California implemented the nation's first sex offender registration program to help track the whereabouts of persons convicted of specific sex crimes. The registration requirement is for life unless the offender is relieved of this responsibility through legal processes. In 1996, California enacted "Megan's Law," which provides the public with photographs and descriptive information on serious sex offenders residing in California who have been convicted of committing sex crimes and are required to register their whereabouts with local law enforcement.

•  Registered Sex Offenders (Megan's Law)(includes offender locator)
•  National Sex Offender Website (includes offender locator)

Megan's Law is named after seven-year-old Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a known child molester who had moved across the street from the family without their knowledge. By 1996, the United States Congress passed legislation dubbed "Megan's Law," which required states to enact similar laws allowing for the release of relevant information to protect the public from sexual offenders. On May 17, 1996, President Clinton signed Megan's Law. On September 25, 1996, then Governor Pete Wilson signed into law California's version of Megan's Law. The law became effective in January of 1997.