Expands the amount of information available about registered sex offenders on the division of criminal justice services website

Section two of the bill amends paragraphs a, b and c of subdivision 6 of section 168-1 of the Correction Law to describe what information about a sex offender is available on the Division homepage depending on whether the offender has been designated a level one, two or three risk.

Section three of the bill amends section 168-q of the Correction Law to change the title of the Sub directory to the Directory and to authorize certain information about level one sex offenders to be made available in the Directory on the Division homepage in addition to the current information which is made available on level two and level three sex offenders.

Section four of the bill provides that it takes effect 180 days after it becomes law.

Existing law

Currently, the Sex Offender Registration Act does not require all sex offenders to be accessible on the DCJS directory website.

Justification

In New York State, a sex offender remains on the Sex Offender Registry for at least twenty years. Many offenders are required to register for life. A directory of Level Two and Level Three Sex Offenders is maintained on the Division of Criminal Justice Services homepage. While this directory provides valuable information concerning those offenders who have been determined to pose moderate and high risk, no similar information is provided about offenders found to pose a low risk of re-offense. A person must call the 800 number operated by the Division to learn of low risk offenders in the community.

To use the 800 number, the caller must have the sex offender's name and either the Offender's exact address, date of birth, social security number or driver's license number. There is no fee for the 800 number. The 800 number has proved to be a useful. Screening tool for certain business and volunteer agencies, however, it is not as useful for a person who wishes to know who may pose a threat to the community but does not know the specific identifying information required for an 800 number search. Making information about all registered sex offenders based upon risk level, available on the Division home page will expand the utility of the Registry and enhance the safety of New York's most vulnerable citizens. Individuals and organizations who need access to Registry information will be able to obtain such information from any computer with access to the Internet at a convenient time and will no longer be limited to calling the 800 number which is only in service weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. In addition, by providing a mechanism whereby residents may register with DCJS to receive automatic e-mail notification whenever an offender moves into their zip code will give individuals the peace of mind that they will be timely notified whenever there is an individual who may pose a risk living nearby. Furthermore, it takes away the burden of having to check the registry all the time to look for new offenders living in the community.

Legislative history

2013-14: S.2017 Passed Senate 2011-12: S.2005a Passed Senate

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

180 days after the bill becomes law.