Senator Martins Announces Senate Passage of Legislation to Create a Registry of Violent Offenders

“Brittany’s Law” Would Provide More Information About Potentially Dangerous Felons

     Senator Jack M. Martins (R-7th Senate District) announced that the New York State Senate passed “Brittany’s Law,” to increase the safety and awareness of communities by creating a public registry of convicted violent felons. The legislation (S1850B), of which Senator Martins is a sponsor, would establish a statewide violent felony offender registry by requiring certain convicted felons to register with the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) upon release from prison.

      “Just like New York’s sex offender registry helps residents protect themselves from convicted sex offenders, Brittany’s Law would help them protect themselves from violent felons. Enhanced tracking of violent felons and keeping communities informed of their whereabouts will help save lives and prevent tragedies. The Assembly should join the Senate in approving this legislation,” said Senator Martins.

     The legislation would require all individuals convicted of a violent felony to register with the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) upon discharge, parole or release from any state or local facility, hospital or institution. The registry would be accessible to the public, similar to the registry of sex offenders that the State currently has in place. The legislation also establishes annual registration requirements for offenders to allow local law enforcement agencies and the State to monitor the whereabouts of these individuals.

     “Brittany’s Law” is named for 12-year-old Brittany Passalacqua who was brutally murdered along with her mother, Helen Buchel, at their home in Geneva, Ontario County in 2009. The killer, John Edward Brown, was on parole at the time of the murder. He was released early from prison after serving only 2 ½ years for assaulting his infant daughter in 2003.

     The bill has been sent to the Assembly.