Senator Nozzolio Appointed To Conference Committee For Sex Offender Registry Legislation

Albany—State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio (R-Fayette), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections has been appointed to a joint legislative conference committee on legislation that would mandate lifetime registration for sex offenders.

“It is an honor to be given the important responsibility of serving on this committee to mandate lifetime registration for sex offenders. I look forward to working quickly with my colleagues to resolve the differences between the bills passed by the Senate and the Assembly to ensure that no sexual predator is allowed to come off the registry,” Senator Nozzolio said.

Last year, Senator Nozzolio hosted three public hearings in Albany, Long Island and Manhattan to discuss a variety of issues surrounding sex offenders and the strengthening of Megan’s Law. Teachers, Law enforcement officials, school officials, parents, and advocates all participated at the hearings held across the state.

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.

“We cannot allow sexual predators to live undetected in our communities and it is critical that we strengthen Megan’s Law and help ensure children are kept out of harm’s way,” Nozzolio concluded.

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