Officials Begin Removing Names From Sex Registry

TOWSON, Md. (AP) -- Corrections officials say they have started the process of removing more than 800 names from Maryland's Sex Offender Registry.

The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said Tuesday that other sex offenders are also being reviewed for possible removal for crimes that occurred before 1995.

In May, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that retroactively requiring sex offenders to register for crimes committed before the registry was created in 1995 violates Maryland's constitution.

Corrections officials say the criminal histories of those being checked for removal to make sure they have not committed other sex offenses. Officials say victims will be notified before the names are removed from the registry.