Young Joins Colleagues To Pass Legisaltion Aimed At Protecting Communities From Sexual Predators

Legislation will strengthen reporting requirements; creates a program to increase awareness among local officials

ALBANY - Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) has announced that the state Senate has passed a package of legislation to protect communities from sexual predators by promoting greater public access to information and awareness. 

The package prevents dangerous sex offenders from being granted custody or unsupervised visitations with children, bars sex offenders from residing in college housing, strengthens residency reporting requirements, increases penalties for someone who helps a sex offender evade registration requirements, and creates a public awareness program to educate schools, community groups, and clergy on issues related to sex offenders.

“Establishing strong protections against dangerous sexual predators is paramount to the safety and security for New Yorkers of all ages,” said Senator Young. “Across the state and even in our own communities we have seen the pain that can be inflicted by violent sexual predators. These measures provide the critical steps needed to safeguard against future heartbreak. Information and awareness is power, and this package of legislation will help the public take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.

“The protections provided by the sex offender registry only exist if the registry is properly kept up to date and includes an offenders’ residence. Families seeking emergency shelter have a right to know their children will not be housed with a sexual predator. Local officials, like school administrators, should be among the first to know when an offender is transferred into their area so they can take any necessary precautions and advise parents,” Senator Young continued.

The package includes seven bills to further protect the public from sex offenders:

- Senate bill 396 requires the commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to contact local officials and school superintendents when a sex offender is transferred to a community program or residence within their municipality;

- Senate bill 833 prohibits Level 3 sex offenders from living in college housing;

- Senate bill 845 creates a sex offender public awareness outreach program to provide educational outreach to schools, community groups and members of the clergy on issues related to sex offenders;

- Senate bill 851 prevents Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from being placed in temporary and emergency housing or homeless shelters where children are present;

- Senate bill 869 makes it a crime to knowingly harbor, house, or employ a sex offender who has failed to register or verify residence or employment and fails to contact their local law enforcement agency;

- Senate bill 1608 requires sex offenders who are living somewhere part-time to report all their residences; and

- Senate bill 2084 prohibits a sexually violent or Level 3 sex offender who committed a crime against a child from being granted custody or unsupervised visitation with a child.

“The Assembly must act quickly to take up this critical package of legislation. Without action we risk further danger to our children and families and the safety of all New Yorkers,” concluded Senator Young.