Senator Flanagan Appointed To Conference Committee For Sex Offender Registry Legislation

Albany—State Senator John J. Flanagan (R,C-East Northport) has been appointed to a joint legislative conference committee on legislation that would mandate lifetime registration for sex offenders.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to work on this critical issue to mandate lifetime registration for sex offenders. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues from both parties and both chambers to ensure that no sexual predator is allowed to come off the registry," Senator Flanagan said.

On January 21, 2006, the 10th anniversary of the effective date of New York State’s sex offender registry, 168 sex offenders will be dropped from the registry because they have met the 10-year mandate to keep police posted of their whereabouts. Hundreds more will drop off the sex offender registry each month thereafter, totaling over 3,500 offenders by the end of 2006.

"It is critical that we strengthen Megan’s Law to protect more children and ensure that people are better informed about the presence of sex offenders in their community," Flanagan concluded.