---
kind: "section"
citation: "34 U.S.C. § 20981"
title: "34"
title_heading: "Crime Control and Law Enforcement"
number: "20981"
heading: "Pilot program for monitoring sexual offenders"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/34/20981"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Protection of Children and Other Persons"
  - "Chapter 209 — Child Protection and Safety"
  - "Subchapter III — Grants and Other Provisions"
---

# §20981. Pilot program for monitoring sexual offenders

- (a) **Sex offender monitoring program—**
  - (1) **Grants authorized—**
    - (A) **In general—** The Attorney General is authorized to award grants (referred to as “Jessica Lunsford and Sarah Lunde Grants”) to [States](/usc/34/21701.md?p=3), local governments, and Indian tribal governments to assist in—
      - (i) carrying out programs to outfit [sex offenders](/usc/34/21502.md?p=9) with electronic monitoring units; and
      - (ii) the employment of [law enforcement](/usc/34/21701.md?p=1) officials necessary to carry out such programs.
    - (B) **Duration—** The Attorney General shall award grants under this section for a period not to exceed 3 years.
    - (C) **Minimum standards—** The electronic monitoring units used in the pilot program shall at a minimum—
      - (i) provide a tracking device for each offender that contains a central processing unit with global positioning system; and
      - (ii) permit continuous monitoring of offenders 24 hours a day.
  - (2) **Application—**
    - (A) **In general—** Each [State](/usc/34/21701.md?p=3), local government, or Indian tribal government desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require.
    - (B) **Contents—** Each application submitted pursuant to [subparagraph (A)](#a-2-A) shall—
      - (i) describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought; and
      - (ii) provide such additional assurances as the Attorney General determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.
- (b) **Innovation—** In making grants under this section, the Attorney General shall ensure that different approaches to monitoring are funded to allow an assessment of effectiveness.
- (c) **Authorization of appropriations—**
  - (1) **In general—** There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2009 to carry out this section.
  - (2) **Report—** Not later than September 1, 2010, the Attorney General shall report to Congress—
    - (A) assessing the effectiveness and value of this section;
    - (B) comparing the cost effectiveness of the electronic monitoring to reduce sex offenses compared to other alternatives; and
    - (C) making recommendations for continuing funding and the appropriate levels for such funding.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–248, title VI, § 621, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 633; Pub. L. 110–400, § 4(a), Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4227.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 16981 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

### Amendments

2008—Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 110–400, § 4(a), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) set minimum standards for electronic monitoring units used in the pilot program.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–400, § 4(b), Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4228, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to grants provided on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 2008].”