What's happening
This bill prohibits registered sex offenders whose victims were children from entering children's sections of public libraries.
Why it matters
Expands restrictions on sex offenders with child victims. by barring them not only from schools and youth facilities (as already common), but now also from any public library areas specifically for children, potentially limiting their access to community resources.
Affects individuals currently under registration requirements. for sex offenses against children, meaning the law targets those already identified as higher-risk for reoffense, aiming to reduce opportunities for contact with minors in public spaces.
Creates new enforcement responsibilities. for libraries and law enforcement, who will need to identify and prevent registered offenders from entering children’s sections, raising questions about implementation, privacy, and possible unintended consequences for libraries’ public mission.
Signals a policy shift in balancing safety and rehabilitation. , as it extends exclusion zones into non-school public spaces, which could prompt debate about the effectiveness, fairness, and scope of restrictions placed on those who have completed their sentences.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Bar Sex Offenders From Kids' Libraries
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
10 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to correction
- Referred to correction
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5585
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 10, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN, MOSLEY, OTIS, BENEDETTO, GUNTHER, ZEBROW- SKI, COLTON, HOOPER, RAIA, WALTER, MOYA, CURRAN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ARROYO, BARCLAY, COOK, CROUCH, GARBARINO, McKEVITT, PERRY, RIVERA, SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law and the penal law, in relation to prohibiting certain persons required to maintain registration under the sex offender registration act from entering into a children's section of a public library
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 168-w of the correction law, as relettered by chapter 604 of the laws of 2005 is relettered section 168-x and a new section 168-w is added to read as follows:
§ 168-w. Prohibition from entering a children's section of a public, association or free library. Any person required to maintain registration under this article (sex offender registration act) and whose victim was a child shall refrain from entering into or upon any area or room in a public, association or free library designated as a children's section or designed primarily to serve a population under the age of eighteen.
§ 2. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 4-a of section 65.10 of the penal law, as amended by chapter 67 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
(a) When imposing a sentence of probation or conditional discharge upon a person convicted of an offense defined in article one hundred thirty, two hundred thirty-five or two hundred sixty-three of this chapter, or section 255.25, 255.26 or 255.27 of this chapter, and the victim of such offense was under the age of eighteen at the time of such offense or such person has been designated a level three sex offender pursuant to subdivision six of section [168-l] one hundred sixty-eight-l of the correction law, the court shall require, as a mandatory condition
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09482-01-7
A. 5585 2
of such sentence, that such sentenced offender shall refrain from knowingly entering into or upon any school grounds, as that term is defined in subdivision fourteen of section 220.00 of this chapter, or any area or room of a public, association or free library designated as a children's section or designed primarily to serve a population under the age of eighteen when the offender's victim was a child, or any other facility or institution primarily used for the care or treatment of persons under the age of eighteen while one or more of such persons under the age of eighteen are present, provided however, that when such sentenced offender is a registered student or participant or an employee of such facility or institution or entity contracting therewith or has a family member enrolled in such facility or institution, such sentenced offender may, with the written authorization of his or her probation officer or the court and the superintendent or chief administrator of such facility, institution or grounds, enter such facility, institution or upon such grounds for the limited purposes authorized by the probation officer or the court and superintendent or chief officer. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as restricting any lawful condition of supervision that may be imposed on such sentenced offender.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.