LOCATION
James A. Karnes Building
410 S. High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-525-5272
Hours (as of March 5, 2018):
Tuesday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Services
victims advocacy legislation...
MEGAN's LAW AND ADAM WALSH ACT
Megan’s Law
Megan Kanka, 7, was killed in July 1994 in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. Jesse Timmerndequas, a twice-convicted sex offender, was sentenced to death for Megan's murder and rape. Megan's parents lobbied for state and federal laws requiring officials to find ways to warn neighbors when known Sex Offenders move into a neighborhood. In May 1996, the Federal "Megan's Law" was signed by President Clinton, requiring all states to disclose to the public, information about Sex Offenders.
The Adam Walsh Act
In 2006, Congress passed the now famous Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act (“Adam Walsh Act”). New national standards were implemented to divide sex offenders into three categories and “tiers” based solely on the crime committed. Again, this federal mandate was imposed on all the states or risk losing federal crime fighting dollars. Ohio enacted the “Adam Walsh Act” and repealed “Megan’s Law” in 2008.
The Story Behind the Act
Adam John Walsh (November 14, 1974 – July 27, 1981) was an American boy who was abducted from a Sears department store at the Hollywood Mall in Hollywood, Florida, on July 27, 1981. His severed head was found two weeks later in a drainage canal alongside Florida's Turnpike in rural St. Lucie County, Florida. His death earned national publicity. His story was made into the 1983 television film Adam. His father, John Walsh, became an advocate for victims of violent crimes and was the host of the television program America's Most Wanted and currently, The Hunt with John Walsh.