Senate Passes Senator Fuschillo’s Legislation to Keep Sex Offenders From Gaining Entry Into People’s Homes

Legislation Would Disqualify Sex Offenders from Holding Real Estate Appraisers License & Protect Families from Unknowingly Giving Sex Offenders Full Access to their Homes

     Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation he sponsored to disqualify all convicted sex offenders from obtaining or holding a real estate appraisal license. The legislation is designed to prevent sex offenders from gaining entry into people’s homes.

     “Real estate appraisers inspect every room in a person’s house when performing their duties. No registered sex offender should have that type of access in someone’s home. Disqualifying registered sex offenders from holding a real estate appraiser’s license would better protect families from unknowingly giving a convicted sex offender full access to their home,” said Senator Fuschillo.

     Real estate appraisers visit every room in a house, including children’s bedrooms and playrooms, when performing an appraisal. While these individuals must be licensed, there is nothing in current law disqualifying sex offenders from holding a real estate appraiser’s license.

     Senator Fuschillo’s legislation (S755) would prohibit all convicted sex offenders from obtaining or holding a real estate appraiser’s license. Any individual who holds a real estate appraiser’s license and is convicted of a sex offense would be required to notify the Department of State within five days of being sentenced.

     Some of the sex offenses that would disqualify an individual from holding a real estate appraiser’s license include:

     • Rape;

     • Sexual conduct with a child;

     • Sexual abuse or sex trafficking;

     • Kidnapping, luring, or unlawfully imprisoning a child;

     • Forcible touching.

     The legislation builds upon an existing law authored by Senator Fuschillo which prevents all convicted sex offenders from obtaining or holding a real estate license.