34 U.S.C. § 20919 — Duty to notify sex offenders of registration requirements and to register

(a) In general. Shortly before a sex offender^* is released from custody — or, if not in custody, immediately after sentencing for the offense that triggers registration — an appropriate official must: (1) tell the offender about the duties of a sex offender under this subchapter and explain them; (2) have the offender read and sign a form stating the duty to register was explained and is understood; and (3) make sure the offender actually gets registered.

(b) Notification of sex offenders who cannot comply with subsection (a). The Attorney General must set rules for notifying offenders who can't be registered the way subsection (a) describes.