Senate Passes Gallivan Bill to Better Track Sex Offenders

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) says the Senate has once again approved a bill (S.2132) 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 Senate also passed the legislation in 2015 and 2016, but it failed in the State Assembly.

The bill sponsored by Gallivan 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 would also have to be notified.

"The state has an obligation to notify local leaders whenever the transfer of a potentially dangerous sex offender into a residential or community program occurs,” Gallivan said.  “Too often, community leaders learn of the transfer after the fact and don’t have adequate time to properly address public concerns and potential security issues.”

The legislation would require the Commissioner of OPWDD to notify local officials no later than ten calendar days prior to the transfer taking place.  

In the past, the state has placed developmentally disabled sex offenders at state-owned group homes in Western New York and across the state, catching many communities off guard and raising concerns about public safety.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly. 

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