Klein Proposes Dramatic Changes To State Sex Offender Registry

New York children head back to school, State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Westchester/Bronx) issued a report about the high concentration of Level 3 sex offenders, the most violent category of sexual predators, living in our community. Klein also announced a proposal to allow New Yorkers to sign-up for email notification when changes or additions are made to the Level 3 sub-directory of the State Sex Offender Registry, which would dramatically improve the public’s access to and awareness of these individuals’ close proximity to our children and families.

While the Assembly drags its feet on passing a sensible civil commitment law to keep our communities free from violent sexual predators, the very least we can do is ensure that parents are armed with the tools to keep their children out of reach of these dangerous criminals,” Klein continued.

The study released by Klein’s office surveyed the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Level 3 Subdirectory and found that the 212 (of 250) New York City zip codes that had at least one level 3 sex offender, are home to more than 1.7 million school-age children and over 1,358 public schools. In Westchester County, 22 (of 74) zip codes that had at least one level 3 sex offender, are home to more than 112,513 school-age children and over 86 public schools.

Klein’s legislation will require the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to make available—free of charge—a system that provides an email alert to residents when a change or update is made to the level 3 registry in residents’ specified geographic area.

New York’s proposed civil commitment law, which would involuntarily confine violent sexual predators after their jail terms until they were deemed psychologically ready to return to society. That legislation is currently being held in the state Assembly, prompting Senator Klein to introduce this legislation to help New Yorkers protect their families in the interim.