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HD 5797

A communication from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (see item 8000-0125 of Section 2 of Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025) submitting the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) annual report for fiscal year 2025

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

SORB outlines current and planned interagency data-sharing and data-management improvements to locate, verify, and enforce sex offender registrations for public safety.

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Bill Summary · HD 5797

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
  • Bill: HD 5797
  • Session: 194th
  • Title: A communication from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security submitting the Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) annual report for fiscal year 2025
  • Purpose of filing: Report by SORB to the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees pursuant to the FY2026 General Appropriations Act (Chapter 9, Acts of 2025). The report outlines data-sharing practices, plans for new data-sharing agreements, and detailed plans to improve data collection and registry maintenance to enhance public safety.

Main purpose and intent

  • To provide the Ways and Means Committees with a comprehensive account of SORB’s data-sharing activities, interagency collaborations, and ongoing and planned improvements to the sex offender registry (SORIS/SORI) and related processes.
  • To demonstrate how data-sharing with multiple state agencies supports locating offenders out of compliance, verifying addresses, and improving public safety.

Key provisions and changes described in the report

While the document is a report rather than a typical statute, it contains several substantive elements:

  • A. Current data-sharing utilization

    • SORB has formal and ongoing data-sharing arrangements with numerous state agencies to identify offenders who are out of compliance or have discrepancies in addresses. Agencies include RMV, DCF, EEC, DOR, DTA, DPH, DOL, DPU, EOHLC, and DDS.
    • SORB emphasizes that address verifications are often confirmed via local police audits to ensure accuracy before updating the registry; noncompliant offenders may face eventual criminal charges.
    • Each agency’s collaboration is summarized (purpose, data shared, and verification process).

  • B. Plans to establish formal data-sharing agreements with other executive branch agencies

    • Potential future collaborators include DMH, DESE, and outreach to additional agencies (MassHealth, EOA Veterans Services, Unemployment Assistance), though some declined to participate.
    • SORB intends to pursue formal data-sharing (“DULA” style) to streamline information exchange and improve locate-and-verify capabilities.

  • C. Plans to improve data collection and registry maintenance

    • Emphasis on collaboration with law enforcement as essential, including regular trainings (11 trainings in 2025 across many jurisdictions) to ensure accurate address reporting and compliance.
    • Ongoing and planned trainings for police and partnerships with the Department of Correction, Parole Board, Probation, and Sheriff Departments.
    • Notable operational improvements:
    • 2024-2025: Direct data feed between SORB and the Department of Correction to auto-populate offender release dates in SORIS2.
    • Weekly and monthly reporting from sheriffs and other agencies to track release dates and verify addresses.
    • A collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center and VFAS to locate and arrest noncompliant offenders.
    • Federal data integration efforts (NESPIN/RISS, NCMEC/SOTT) for enhanced offender tracking and investigative support.
    • Address Verification Program (AVP) funded by SORNA to assist in identifying unregistered or noncompliant offenders; multiple departments have participated.
    • 2019-2024: ESORI portal enhancements and broader use of data to support background checks and professional licensure verifications.
    • 2025-2026 focus areas include encryption updates, ISA/digital data-sharing improvements, and continued data-sharing with state and federal partners to enhance accuracy and public safety.

  • D. Other programmatic details

    • The report describes ongoing and past data-sharing practices with a wide range of agencies, as well as the strategic rationale for interagency cooperation to locate offenders and maintain accurate, up-to-date information.
    • Emphasis on data accuracy, timely removals of deceased offenders, indigency verification for counsel, and utilization of multiple data sources to cross-check offender information.

Who is affected

  • Offenders who are required to register with SORB (including Level 1, 2, and 3 offenders) and those in violation of registration obligations.
  • State agencies that host or manage data used to locate offenders (RMV, DCF, EEC, DOR, DTA, DPH, DOL, DPU, EOHLC, DDS, DMH, DESE, MassHealth, etc.).
  • Law enforcement and public safety entities (local police, MSP, VFAS, fusion centers) that use shared data to identify, locate, and apprehend offenders.
  • Administrative and regulatory processes (indigency determinations, licensure/background checks, and shelter/housing placements) that intersect with offender data.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The report is due by December 16, 2025, per the FY2026 General Appropriations Act.
  • The document notes ongoing statutory and administrative changes, including:
    • Pursuit of formal Data Use License Agreements (DULAs) with current and prospective agencies.
    • Planned updates to encryption and data-sharing procedures in 2026.
    • Continued expansion of AVP and ESORI-related activities, with annual reporting and grant activity (AVP) across participating police departments.
  • 2024-2025 activities include multiple trainings and interagency collaborations, with ongoing assessment and expansion planned into 2026.

Bottom line

This HD 5797 filing is a detailed annual report from SORB to legislative committees outlining current and planned interagency data-sharing arrangements, improvements to data collection and registry maintenance, and the strategic steps taken to enhance public safety by ensuring accurate offender information and effective enforcement of registration requirements. It emphasizes collaboration with diverse state agencies, law enforcement, and federal partners, plus planned enhancements to data security and interagency workflows.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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