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History
- Reported and committed to codes
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Sets forth procedures to be followed in the event a sex offender fails to mail a signed verification within twenty calendar days of mailing by DCJS
In Senate Committee · Codes · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to sex offender verification
Purpose or general idea of bill
The bill would enable law enforcement to better track offenders registered under the Sex Offender Registration Act ("SORA").
Summary of specific provisions
The bill requires the Division of Criminal Justice Services ("DCJS") to notify law enforcement officials if an offender listed on the statewide Sex Offender Registry does not promptly verify his or her address. The bill provides that if an annual verification of address form is not completed and returned to DCJS in a timely manner, the probation or parole officer assigned to the case or other local law enforcement officials will be asked to promptly visit the listed residence and confirm that the registrant continues to live there. If the officials confirm that the registrant continues to live at the listed address and the registrant signs the verification form, the Division may accept the form and assess a new civil penalty for the cost for verification, up to $200.00. If the registrant is not at the listed address or refuses to sign the verification documents, the district attorney and DCJS will be notified and the offender will face prosecution for failing to register and verify under SORA. A first such failure to register or verify is a class E felony; a second such offense is a class D felony.
Justification
New York has made tremendous strides in implementing SORA, and there are now more than 21,000 persons registered under this law. Although most registrants return annual verification information promptly, there are offenders who, although they have not moved, do not promptly verify their address. In order to better enforce the verification provisions of the law, this bill requires a prompt investigation any time verification documents are not returned in a timely manner. Where the registrant has moved or refuses to verify his or her address, arrest and prosecution will follow. When the registrant is living at the address and signs the verification document, the Division will assess the cost of the investigative interview to the registrant, up to $200.00. In this way, the bill assures that the registry is updated, and also helps to protect public safety by assuring a prompt investigation when verification documents are not immediately returned.
Prior legislative history
2008: S.5570A Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Cmte./A.1179A Passed Assembly 2007: S.5570A Senate Rules Cmte./A.1179A Passed Assembly 2005-2006: A.7707 Passed Assembly 2003-2004: A.11602 Passed Assembly 6/21/2004
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Added costs for implementing the law are expected to be small.
Effective date
Sixty days after the bill is signed into law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.