Senator Golden Supports Senate Efforts to Keep Kids Safe From Sex Offenders

Albany - Senator Marty Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today voted to approve a package of bills in the New York State Senate to help keep our children, our schools and our communities safe from dangerous sex offenders.

The bills, all of which passed the State Senate today, include legislation that would:

· Prevent individuals from being able to legally change their names in order to evade legal process or obligation;

· Make it a felony for certain sex offenders who fail to register or report a change of address;

· Require sex offenders to disclose whether their residence is within ½ mile to an elementary or secondary school;

· Prohibit sex offenders from obtaining licenses and certification to become real estate appraisers, to prevent a scenario where convicted offenders would be alone in an empty house or building with someone vulnerable to attack;

· Increase penalties for sex offenders who fail to register, as well as for those who violate the prohibition against working on ice cream trucks, where they would be in close proximity to children;

· Make the same identifying information pertaining to Level 2 sex offenders that is available to the general public through the state’s sex offender registry website available to law enforcement for community notification purposes;

· Increase public awareness of sex offenders who prey on children by designating anyone convicted of committing or attempting to commit sex offenses against children aged ten years or less a “level three” offender; and

· Require sex offenders who violate probation by committing another sex offense to serve the sentence imposed for the probation violation consecutively, not concurrently -- ensuring that repeat sex offenders receive the maximum amount of time in jail and off the streets.

Senator Marty Golden stated, "There is nothing more important than ensuring the health and safety of New York's children. That's why I will continue fighting to pass laws to crack down on dangerous sexual predators, and why I am hopeful that the State Assembly will work to approve these important measures without delay."