Saland Announces S Bill To Enhance Compliance With Sex Offender Registry

Failure to register or verify an address is currently a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class D felony for subsequent offenses under the Corrections Law. This bill creates a Penal Law felony and therefore would qualify as a predicate felony offense for sex offenders with previous convictions, allowing for stiffer sentences. Additionally, convicted sex offenders who fail to provide mandated DNA samples sometimes flout the law and refuse to comply. This bill creates a tougher penalty for repeated failure to provide a DNA sample.

“The Sex Offender Registration Act was created to protect the public from sex offenders, who are among the most heinous of criminals,” said Senator Saland. “This bill lets sex offenders know that, if they fail to comply with the law by not registering, not verifying their address or not providing a DNA sample, they will suffer tougher penalties.”

The bill has been sent to the Assembly for consideration.