The law is named for seven-year-old Megan Kanka who was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by Jesse Timmendequas, a repeat violent sexual offender. After this happened her parents started the Megan Nicole Kanka foundation- stating “Every parent should have the right to know if a dangerous sexual predator moves into their neighborhood.” Megan’s home state of New Jersey passed Megan’s Law in 1994.
Megan's Law is a name for laws in the United States requiring law enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders. Individual states decide what information will be made available and how it should be disseminated. Commonly included information includes the offender's name, picture, address, incarceration date, and nature of crime. The information is often displayed on free public websites, but can be published in newspapers, distributed in pamphlets, or through various other means.
Sources:
California Megan's Law Website;
http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan's_Law
Other Useful Websites;
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?id=1083&action=tdihArticleCategory
http://scsotf.com/Megan%27s%20Law.pdf
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