American Samoa amends Act governing sex offender registration

American Samoa's Governor Lolo Moliga has signed into law a bill amending the American Samoa Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, or SORNA.

The changes allow American Samoa to be in substantial compliance with requirements of the US Sex Offender Registration Act.

Under current law, Tier II offenders may have their registration periods reduced to 10 years if they maintain a clean record for 10 consecutive years.

This provision however is not in compliance with SORNA.

The bill that the governor signed into law will allow all government agencies to continue monitoring individuals who have committed more severe sexual crimes.

It requires a sex offender to register once every 180 days for 25 years from the time of release from custody, if the offender is jailed or from the date of sentencing for a sex offender who is not incarcerated.