Definitions — Us Code Code § 21502

Us Code Code § 21502 — Definitions. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 21502. Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) Center

The term "Center" means the Angel Watch Center established pursuant to section 21503(a) of this title.

(2) Convicted

The term "convicted" has the meaning given the term in section 111 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16911).1

(3) Covered sex offender

Except as otherwise provided, the term "covered sex offender" means an individual who is a sex offender by reason of having been convicted of a sex offense against a minor.

(4) Destination country

The term "destination country" means a destination or transit country.

(5) INTERPOL

The term "INTERPOL" means the International Criminal Police Organization.

(6) Jurisdiction

The term "jurisdiction" means—

(A) a State;

(B) the District of Columbia;

(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;

(D) Guam;

(E) American Samoa;

(F) the Northern Mariana Islands;

(G) the United States Virgin Islands; and

(H) to the extent provided in, and subject to the requirements of, section 127 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16927),1 a Federally recognized Indian tribe.

(7) Minor

The term "minor" means an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years.

(8) National Sex Offender Registry

The term "National Sex Offender Registry" means the National Sex Offender Registry established by section 119 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16919).1

(9) Sex offender under SORNA

The term "sex offender under SORNA" has the meaning given the term "sex offender" in section 111 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16911).1

(10) Sex offense against a minor

(A) In general

The term "sex offense against a minor" means a specified offense against a minor, as defined in section 111 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16911).1

(B) Other offenses

The term "sex offense against a minor" includes a sex offense described in section 111(5)(A) of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16911(5)(A)) 1 that is a specified offense against a minor, as defined in paragraph (7) of such section, or an attempt or conspiracy to commit such an offense.

(C) Foreign convictions; offenses involving consensual sexual conduct

The limitations contained in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 111(5) of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16911(5)) 1 shall apply with respect to a sex offense against a minor for purposes of this chapter to the same extent and in the same manner as such limitations apply with respect to a sex offense for purposes of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 [34 U.S.C. 20901 et seq.].

(Pub. L. 114–119, §3, Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 16.)


Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 114–119, Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 15, known as the International Megan's Law to Prevent Child Exploitation and Other Sexual Crimes Through Advanced Notification of Traveling Sex Offenders, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2016 Act note set out under section 10101 of this title and Tables.

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, referred to in par. (10)(C), is Pub. L. 109–248, July 27, 2006, 120 Stat. 587, which enacted chapter 209 (§20901 et seq.) of this title and enacted, amended, and repealed numerous other sections and notes in the Code. Sections 111, 119, and 127 of the Act were classified to sections 16911, 16919, and 16927, respectively, of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as sections 20911, 20921, and 20929, respectively, of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2006 Act note set out under section 10101 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 16935a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

1 See References in Text note below.

About This Section

34 U.S.C. § 21502 is part of Title 34 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 34 U.S.C. § 21502. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

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