Update: Senator Nozzolio Announces “Brittany’s Law” Approved by Senate Finance Committee

Michael F. Nozzolio

May 5, 2011

New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio today announced that “Brittany’s Law”, the legislation he is sponsoring to create a statewide registry tracking violent felony offenders, has taken another critically important step toward becoming State Law.

The legislation, which Senator Nozzolio is sponsoring with Senator Joseph Griffo, was approved today by the Senate Finance Committee. It is anticipated that Brittany’s Law will be brought to the Senate floor for vote next week.

“It is critically important that New York State adopts stronger measures to monitor violent offenders and I am pleased that Brittany’s Law is continuing to move through the legislative process on track to becoming State Law. This legislation will be a valuable investigative tool for law enforcement in the fight against violent crime and provide important information to keep our families and communities safe,” said Senator Nozzolio, who serves on the Finance Committee. Last week, Brittany’s Law was approved in the Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee, on which Senator Nozzolio serves as Chairman.

Brittany’s Law is named for 12-year-old Brittany Passalacqua, who was murdered along with her mother by a violent convicted felon who had been released from prison early and put on parole just months earlier. It would require all individuals convicted of a violent felony to register with the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) upon release from prison.