Sen. Farley's Office To Participate In Montgomery County Child Advocacy Task Force's Child Abuse Prevention Month Events

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C - Schenectady) announced his office will be hosting a table on Fridays in April at the Amsterdam Wal-Mart as part of the Montgomery County Child Advocacy's efforts of highlighting April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and showcasing what resources are available to families in the Amsterdam and Montgomery County areas.

"As many child protective and health care workers have said to me, it shouldn't hurt to be a child," Senator Farley said. "These free community events showcase what resources are out there helping families and children and to also pass on safety information."

The community events will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wal-Mart, Route 30, Amsterdam on April 6th, April 13th, April 20th and April 27th. Highlights include car seat checks, identification tags, Hagaman Fire Department's fire safety trailer and Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GAVAC) emergency medical service simulation.

Senator Farley's table will include tips on protecting oneself against crime, Megan's Law, on-line computer safety and general tips on keeping children safe.

Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed legislation that the Governor signed into law that would provide for the civil commitment of certain sexually violent predators at a secure treatment facility after they've completed their prison sentence in order to protect the public from criminals likely to commit repeated acts of sexual violence. "This assists New York State in its ongoing efforts to help protect our children, our loved ones and our families from violent sexual predators," Senator Farley said.

Under this law, sex offenders will be referred to a case review team to determine if the offender has a mental abnormality that will make them likely to be a repeat offender. If so, the case will go to the Attorney General to file a petition for confinement in the county of incarceration. If after a trail, a jury confirms the findings of the case review team, a judge will determine the most appropriate course of action, either confinement for the most dangerous offenders or a program of strict and intensive supervision for those who pose a lesser risk.

The law also mandates treatment for all sex offenders during incarceration and after their release; increases periods of parole supervision for sex offenders; establishing a new crime of "sexually motivated felony"; and creates a new Office of Sex Offender Management in the State Division of Criminal Justice Services to develop comprehensive policies and standards for the evaluation, treatment, and management of sex offenders.