Senate Passes Bill To Keep Sex Offenders Off College Campuses

The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.8500), sponsored by Senator Joseph Robach (R-C-I, Rochester) to prohibit level three sex offenders from living in student housing on college campuses.

"We must do everything in our power to protect our children from the thousands of sexual offenses and assaults that take place on our college campuses every year," said Senator Joe Robach. "By passing this bill to prohibit sex offenders from living in college dormitories, we are removing a known threat to the safety of these students. Our young people are away at school to learn and experience life on their own for the first time. They should not be worrying about if there is a violent sex offender living in their building."

"Many college students are living on their own for the first time, and sharing living space with people they know nothing about," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "Students in college housing often keep different hours while living in very close quarters. This bill will better protect our college students by ensuring they are not living within easy reach of convicted sex offenders."

According to the United States Department of Education, in 2004 there were 2,673 sex offenses and 3,009 assaults on college campuses. These numbers include only reported cases, so most likely represent only a portion of all sex offenses on campus.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.