In 1995, a convicted child molester was apprehended for killing and raping little Megan Kanka in the state of New Jersey. At the time, the rapist lived across the street from the house where the Kanka’s family was living; however, the Police Department was prohibited from divulging the presence of child molesters because at the time of the incident the law did not allow the release of this information to the population.

On May 8, 1996, President Clinton signed a law that he had sponsor to allow potential victims to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders.  The law was called “Megan’s Law” in remembrance of 7 year-old Megan Kanka.