Requires New York state drivers licenses to indicate if the licensee is a registered sex offender under Megan's Law

1 Co-sponsor

• Timothy M. Kennedy

BILL NUMBER:S4742A

Title of bill

An act to amend the correction law and the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to identifying registered sex offenders

Purpose

To require that certain sex offenders have their driver's license altered to reflect their criminal status and to create a statewide motor vehicle registry of sex offenders.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends the Correction Law by adding a new subdivision 13 to make information available to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to aid in the identification of registered sex offenders.

Section 2 amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law by identifying sex offenders on their driver's license through the use of a lettered code designated by the department. The Commissioner shall charge a twenty-five dollar fee for the replacement license. The commissioner will cause a statewide database to be established containing registration information gathered on sex offenders and make this information available to state and local law enforcement agencies upon request.

Justification

This legislation is aimed at protecting victims of sex offenders. Sex offenders have one of the highest rates of criminal recidivism. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice show that 15 to 20% of treated and paroled sex offenders commit another sex offense within 3 years of release. This legislation is a compliment to Megan's Law, yet takes the realm of protection one step further. Since sex offenders may move from state to state, they avoid registering their status. The man convicted of murdering Megan Kanka had been twice convicted of child molestation before moving to Megan's New Jersey neighborhood. This bill would allow other states to identify sex offenders by their driver's license. In addition, when a person applies for a license in another state, the indication on the license will alert the Department of Motor Vehicles as to their sex offender status. This will compel the person to register with that state's "Sex Offender Register." It would also alert police when checking the identification of a suspicious person lurking near a school, park, etc.

Legislative history

2011 - 4742

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

First of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.