Seward Backs Brittany's Law

ALBANY, 06/14/17 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I/Ref) announced today that legislation he co-sponsors known as “The Domestic Violence Protection Act - Brittany’s Law” received senate approval for a seventh time. 

The legislation (S.1107) would establish a statewide violent felony offender registry by requiring offenders to register with the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services upon release from prison. The law is intended to increase the safety of all New Yorkers by providing access to the list of convicted violent offenders.

“New Yorkers have the right to know when violent offenders are living next door, interacting with loved ones, and possibly endangering their lives,” said Senator Seward.  “A violent felony offender registry will also provide law enforcement officials with an important crime-fighting tool.”

Brittany’s Law is named for 12 year-old Brittany Passalacqua, who was murdered in Geneva, N.Y. in 2009 along with her mother Helen Buchel by a violent convicted felon who had been released from prison. The killer, John Edward Brown, was on parole at the time of the murder. He was released from prison after serving 2 ½ years of a three-year sentence for assaulting his infant daughter in 2003.

Under the bill, passed today, all individuals convicted of a violent felony must 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.   Several other states have already established a violent felony offender registry

“Knowledge is power and the establishment of a violent felony offender registry puts that power into the hands of the public while weakening criminals who look to do harm to innocent individuals.  Brittany’s Law will help prevent future tragedies and I am proud to support the measure,” Seward concluded.

This marks the seventh time the senate has passed Brittany’s Law.  The bill has never advanced to the floor of the assembly for consideration.

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