The House passed and sent to President Bush legislation establishing a national Internet database designed to tell law enforcement and community officials where convicted sex offenders live and work.
The most serious offenders would be registered in the database for life. All sex offenders could face a felony charge punishable by 10 years in prison for failing to update their database information.
Offenders would be required to register in person.
The House passed the bill by voice vote, as did the Senate last week.
The legislation also sets mandatory minimum sentences of 25 years for kidnapping or maiming a child, and 30 years for sex with a child under 12 or for sexually assaulting a child 13 to 17.