Creates the New York state commission on sex offender supervision and management

Title of bill

An act creating a temporary New York state commission on sex offender supervision and management and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose or general idea of bill

The bill establishes a temporary state commission, to be known as the New York state commission on sex offender supervision and management, to examine, evaluate, and make recommendations concerning factors that impact the risk of recidivism, and lead to the concentration of sex offenders in certain residential areas.

Summary of specific provisions

The bill establishes a temporary state commission, to be known as the New York state commission on sex offender supervision and management to examine, evaluate, and make recommendations concerning the effectiveness of programs involving inmates who are required to register as a sex offender pursuant to article 6-C of the correction law released from state and local correctional facilities. The commission shall investigate all factors that impact the risk of recidivism, and lead to the concentration of sex offenders in certain residential areas.

Specifically, the commission will examine the existence of concentrations of registered sex offenders in certain residential areas and municipalities and the circumstances that caused such concentrations to exist; the practices and procedures of the division of parole, local probation departments, and local social service districts in investigating and approving residences for convicted sex offenders; the availability of appropriate housing for convicted sex offenders; the adequacy of supervision and monitoring of registered sex offenders under the supervision of the division of parole or serving a sentence of probation; and the effectiveness and availability of existing sex offender treatment programs and the need for additional sex offender treatment programs in prison, local correctional facilities and the community.

Justification

Persons convicted of a sex offense present a danger to the public. It is necessary that these offenders receive appropriate supervision and treatment designed to reduce the risk of re-offense in order to ensure the safety, health and welfare of the communities in which convicted sex offenders reside. Unfortunately, New York's state prison system does not adequately prepare inmates for a safe return to the community upon the completion of their sentence.

Lack of treatment during incarceration creates a threat to public safety by increasing the likelihood that inmates released to the community will be unable to successfully transition back to society and therefore heightens the risk of re-offense. This is especially true for sex offenders who often do not find appropriate housing and treatment programs in the community. Further, the division of parole, local probation departments and social services agencies are often unable to locate suitable housing for convicted sex offenders. This lack of housing has resulted in an unacceptable level of concentration of sex offenders in certain residential areas. This bill establishes a commission to study these issues and make report to the legislature and the governor.

Prior legislative history

A11853 (2006) Referred to Correction 6/13/06. A4569 Referred to Correction in 2007-2008.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This bill takes effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed 1 year after such effective date; provided that the appointed of members to the New York state commission on sex offender supervision and management shall be completed within 90 days of such effective date.