New Sex Offender Legislation Approved

Albany, N.Y.-- The New York State Legislature has approved legislation co-sponsored by Senator George H. Winner, Jr. (R-C, Elmira) to increase the amount of information about dangerous sex offenders being made available to concerned parents and community residents.

The legislation will expand 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.

"Public information is the front line of defense in protecting our children and communities from dangerous sex offenders," said Winner, a member of the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee. "This legislation significantly expands the amount of public information that’s available on the Internet and through local police agencies."

Currently, photos and other information about Level 3 sex offenders is available on the website of the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). If signed into law by Governor George Pataki, the new measure will expand the DCJS website to include information on all Level 2 sex offenders.

Furthermore, local police agencies are presently allowed to disseminate information to community residents about Level 2 and 3 sex offenders. The new legislation authorizes the distribution of information concerning Level 1 offenders. The information would include the offender’s name; 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.

The legislation willbe delivered to the governor to be signed into law.