22 U.S.C. § 212b — Unique passport identifiers for covered sex offenders

(a) In general. As soon as the Secretary of State receives a written determination from the Angel Watch Center — made through the process developed under section 21507 of title 34 — that an individual is a "covered sex offender," the Secretary of State must take the action described in subsection (b). (b) Authority to use unique passport identifiers. (1) In general. Except as paragraph (2) allows, the Secretary of State may not issue a passport to a covered sex offender unless it contains a unique identifier, and may revoke a passport previously issued to a covered sex offender without one. (2) Authority to reissue. Despite paragraph (1), the Secretary of State may reissue a passport without the identifier if the individual reapplies for a passport and the Angel Watch Center provides a new written determination — again through the section 21507 process — that the individual is no longer required to register as a covered sex offender. (3) Clarification with respect to continuing registration. An individual may not be denied a passport with a unique identifier, or required to keep one, solely because the individual has moved or lives outside the United States. (c) Defined terms. (1) "Covered sex offender" means an individual who (A) is a sex offender as defined in section 21503(f) of title 34, and (B) is currently required to register under any jurisdiction's sex offender registration program. (2) "Unique identifier" means any visual marking placed in a conspicuous location on the passport, showing that the holder is a covered sex offender. (3) "Passport" means a passport book or a passport card. (d) Prohibition. The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and their agencies, officers, employees, and agents are not liable to anyone for actions taken under this section. (e) Disclosure. To help carry out this section, the Secretary of State may require a passport applicant to disclose that they are a registered sex offender. (f) Effective date. This section takes effect once the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Attorney General certify to the appropriate congressional committees that the process required and reported under section 21507 of title 34 has been successfully implemented.