Senate And Assembly Pass Skelos' Bill To Strengthen Megan's Law

The New York State Senate and Assemblypassed legislationwritten by Senate Deputy Majority LeaderDean Skelos (R, Rockville Center) providing significantly more information about dangerous sex offenders to concerned parents and members of the community. The bill expands the state’s Sex Offender Registry by posting information about more sex offenders on the Internet and allowing law enforcement to disseminate information about all offenders to the community.

"Megan’s Law has always been about access to information," said Senator Skelos, the original sponsor of Megan’s Law. "To protect their families, parents have a right to know if dangerous sexual predators live in their neighborhood. This important legislation continues to update Megan’s Law by providing information about more sex offenders on the Internet and enabling local law enforcement to inform people about the presence of any sex offender in their community."

Currently, photos and other information about Level 3 sex offenders is available on the Division of Criminal Justice Services’ website. This bill expands the website to include all Level 2 sex offenders.

Present law allows local law enforcement officials to disseminate information about Level 2 and 3 sex offenders. This legislation authorizes the distribution of information concerning Level 1 offenders. The information would include: name of the offender; approximate address by zip code; crime of conviction, mode of operation, and type of victim targeted; name and address of any institution of higher education at which the offender is enrolled, attends, is employed, or resides; and a description of any special conditions imposed on the offender.

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