Senator Venditto Votes on Legislation to Better Track Transfer of Sex Offenders

New York State Senator Michael Venditto (R, C, I- Massapequa) voted this week on legislation (S.396) that would require New York State to notify a local municipality when a sex offender is transferred from a state facility to a community program or residence. The bill, if passed by the Assembly and signed into law, would amend the mental hygiene law to require the Commissioner of the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to notify the chief executive officer of any municipality where a sex offender is transferred. The superintendent of schools in which the facility is located must also be notified. This legislation, builds on Senator Venditto’s tough stance of protecting our children from dangerous sexual predators. Last year, Senator Venditto, sponsored legislation (S.3925), which authorizes municipalities to establish residency restrictions for sex offenders required to register with the division of criminal justice services. It would reverse the NY Court of Appeals incorrect ruling which threw out local sex offender residency restrictions. Senator Venditto’s bill passed the Senate last year, but is still waiting on Assembly passage. “In addition to being a Senator, I am a Father, and I cannot imagine my son, Andrew, growing up in a world where we can’t give him the protections he deserves—to that end I have sponsored and voted on legislation that will protect our children from dangerous predators,” said Senator Venditto.