What's happening
This bill requires school districts to notify parents about registered sex offenders residing in the district and provides state reimbursement for related mailing expenses.
Why it matters
Direct parental notification. The bill mandates that school districts must actively send notifications to every parent or guardian of students when they receive information about a registered sex offender living in the district, rather than leaving it to their discretion or passive disclosure.
State-funded cost relief. By requiring state reimbursement for mailing costs, the bill removes a potential financial barrier for districts, ensuring that lack of local funding does not prevent notification and making the process more uniform across wealthy and less-wealthy districts.
Potential privacy and stigma concerns. The expanded direct notification may heighten community awareness but could also increase stigma or harassment risks for offenders and their families, while raising questions about balancing public safety with privacy and reintegration goals.
Standardization and accountability. The law creates a clear, consistent standard across all school districts, reducing ambiguity about notification responsibilities and potentially improving accountability in how schools handle sex offender information.
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Who cares
School districts and superintendents
Districts would have to share level two and level three sex offender information received by their superintendent or chief administrator with the parents or guardians of every student in the district.
Parents and guardians of students
They would receive sex offender information that districts currently may choose whether to share.
State education commissioner
The commissioner would have to allocate funds to reimburse school districts for mailing notices about registered sex offenders within their boundaries.
Level two and level three registered sex offenders
Information about them supplied to school district leaders would have to be distributed to students’ parents or guardians.
Headline styles
Notify Parents of Sex Offenders
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Held for consideration in correction
- Referred to correction
- Referred to 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.
Notify Parents of Sex Offenders
In Senate Committee · Rules · Sponsor Kenneth P. LaValle
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 1599 A. 937
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to required notification by school districts of sex offender residence; and to amend the education law, in relation to apportionment to school districts for certain expenses related to sex offender notification
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subdivision 6 of section 168-l of the correction law, paragraph (b) as amended by chapter 513 of the laws of 2011 and paragraph (c) as separately amended by chapters 318 and 680 of the laws of 2005, are amended to read as follows:
(b) If the risk of repeat offense is moderate, a level two designation shall be given to such sex offender. In such case the law enforcement agency or agencies having jurisdiction and the law enforcement agency or agencies having had jurisdiction at the time of his or her conviction shall be notified and may disseminate relevant information which shall include a photograph and description of the offender and which may include the exact name and any aliases used by the sex offender, exact address, background information including the offender's crime of conviction, mode of operation, type of victim targeted, the name and address of any institution of higher education at which the sex offender is enrolled, attends, is employed or resides and the description of special conditions imposed on the offender to any entity with vulnerable populations related to the nature of the offense committed by such sex offender. Any entity receiving information on a sex offender may disclose or further disseminate such information at its discretion,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02102-01-7
S. 1599 2 A. 937
provided, however, that school districts, upon receipt of such information by the district superintendent or chief school administrator, shall disseminate such information to the person or persons in parental relation, as defined in subdivision ten of section two of the education law, of each of its students within such school district. In addition, in such case, the information described [herein] in this section shall also be provided in the subdirectory established in this article and notwithstanding any other provision of law, such information shall, upon request, be made available to the public.
Such law enforcement agencies shall compile, maintain and update a listing of vulnerable organizational entities within its jurisdiction. Such listing shall be utilized for notification of such organizations in disseminating such information on level two sex offenders pursuant to this paragraph. Such listing shall include and not be limited to: superintendents of schools or chief school administrators, superintendents of parks, public and private libraries, public and private school bus transportation companies, day care centers, nursery schools, preschools, neighborhood watch groups, community centers, civic associations, nursing homes, victim's advocacy groups and places of worship.
(c) If the risk of repeat offense is high and there exists a threat to the public safety a level three designation shall be given to such sex offender. In such case, the law enforcement agency or agencies having jurisdiction and the law enforcement agency or agencies having had jurisdiction at the time of his or her conviction shall be notified and may disseminate relevant information which shall include a photograph and description of the offender and which may include the sex offender's exact name and any aliases used by the offender, exact address, address of the offender's place of employment, background information including the offender's crime of conviction, mode of operation, type of victim targeted, the name and address of any institution of higher education at which the sex offender is enrolled, attends, is employed or resides and the description of special conditions imposed on the offender to any entity with vulnerable populations related to the nature of the offense committed by such sex offender. Any entity receiving information on a sex offender may disclose or further disseminate such information at its discretion, provided, however, that school districts, upon receipt of such information by the district superintendent or chief school administrator, shall disseminate such information to the person or persons in parental relation, as defined in subdivision ten of section two of the education law, of each of its students within such school district. In addition, in such case, the information described [herein] in this section shall also be provided in the subdirectory established in this article and notwithstanding any other provision of law, such information shall, upon request, be made available to the public.
Such law enforcement agencies shall compile, maintain and update a listing of vulnerable organizational entities within its jurisdiction. Such listing shall be utilized for notification of such organizations in disseminating such information on level three sex offenders pursuant to this paragraph. Such listing shall include and not be limited to: superintendents of schools or chief school administrators, superintendents of parks, public and private libraries, public and private school bus transportation companies, day care centers, nursery schools, preschools, neighborhood watch groups, community centers, civic associations, nursing homes, victim's advocacy groups and places of worship.
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3605 to read as follows:
S. 1599 3 A. 937
§ 3605. Apportionment for certain mailing expenses. The commissioner shall apportion funds to reimburse school districts for monies expended in the mailing of notices to the person or persons in parental relation, as defined in subdivision ten of section two of this chapter, of each of its students regarding the presence of registered sex offenders within such school districts.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, and shall apply to expenses incurred by school districts after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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