News & Court Victories

The case centers on whether applying enhanced residency restrictions to individuals convicted prior to their enactment constitutes retroactive punishment under the Ex Post Facto Clause. The panel appeared skeptical of the state's argument that the restrictions are regulatory rather than punitive, with at least two judges pressing the state's attorney on the practical effect of the restrictions. A ruling is expected by late 2026. This case could have significant implications for all registrants in Washington state, particularly those convicted before 2006.

The SMART Act of 2026 was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and would represent the most significant reform to SORNA since its passage in 2006. Key provisions include: mandatory tier assignment based on recidivism risk rather than offense alone, removal eligibility after 10 years for Tier I, 20 years for Tier II (with no subsequent offenses), and creation of a federal petition process. The bill currently has 14 co-sponsors and has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Advocates consider it unlikely to pass in the current session but call it meaningful progress in shifting the conversation.

The court drew a distinction between platforms primarily used for communication versus those primarily used for gaming or entertainment. Usernames on platforms like Steam, Xbox Live, or PlayStation Network where the primary function is gaming — and where the registrant does not use messaging features to contact non-household members — fall outside the reporting requirement. However, usernames on Discord, Twitch chat, or any platform with primary communication features still require disclosure. The ruling affects Nevada registrants immediately and may be cited in similar cases in other states.

According to the community member who submitted this tip, Orange County Florida passed an ordinance in February 2026 adding transit centers and major bus terminals to the list of protected locations from which registrants must maintain a 1,000-foot residence buffer. The ordinance is reportedly effective March 1, 2026. If you live in Orange County, verify your address compliance immediately. This tip has not yet been independently verified by SOLaws admin — treat it as a community warning and check with local authorities or an attorney.

NCL implemented a registry-based passenger restriction in June 2022, but enforcement has reportedly intensified. Community members report being flagged at the pier after successfully booking, and in some cases receiving cancellations within 48 hours of sailing. NCL appears to be running more systematic pre-departure manifest checks. If you are booked on NCL and are on the registry, be aware that cancellation is likely regardless of when the booking was made. See our Travel page for cruise lines with less restrictive policies.

Multiple advocacy organizations including NARSOL have reported an uptick in enforcement actions at U.S. airports targeting registrants traveling internationally without having filed the required 21-day advance notification. Several individuals were reportedly prevented from boarding international flights or detained briefly for questioning. The 21-day rule is federal law and carries criminal penalties for non-compliance. If you are planning any international travel — including cruises that depart from or return to U.S. ports — file your notification well in advance through your local registration office or directly through the U.S. Marshals Service NSOTC online portal.

The court found that applying residency restrictions to individuals without fixed housing — where compliance is structurally impossible because there is no address to verify against restricted zones — violates due process. The ruling does not eliminate residency restrictions but requires the state to provide a compliance pathway for homeless registrants. Legal advocates say the decision could be applied to other states with similar enforcement patterns and may open avenues for challenging residency restrictions more broadly as applied to people in unstable housing situations.

The amendment affects Tier 1 registrants whose offenses did not involve minors and who have maintained clean compliance records. The 7-year waiting period applies to convictions occurring on or after January 1, 2021, while older convictions may still require the full 10-year period depending on circumstances. California's tiered registry system, implemented in 2021, has already resulted in thousands of successful removals. If you are a California Tier 1 registrant, verify your eligibility date with an attorney or through the California DOJ's registry portal.