What's happening
This bill requires all registered sex offenders in New York to update their photographs annually, regardless of risk level, and updates procedures for law enforcement notification and public information.
Why it matters
Mandates annual, in-person photo updates for all sex offenders. Every registered sex offender, regardless of risk level, must now personally appear at their local law enforcement agency each year to provide an updated photograph, instead of the previous system where only higher-risk offenders (level three) had annual updates while others (levels one and two) updated less frequently.
Strengthens accountability and compliance. The duty to appear for a photo update is only suspended if the offender is incarcerated or institutionalized, and must resume immediately upon release. Failure to comply within 30 days of the registration anniversary is a violation, with clear procedures for law enforcement notification and follow-up.
Enhances transparency and public information. Law enforcement is required not only to promptly forward updated photographs to the state registry, but also to include the date the photo was taken in notifications to relevant agencies, organizations, and in the public online subdirectory. This ensures that the information available to the public and entities working with vulnerable populations is current and accurate.
Standardizes procedures across all risk levels. By removing distinctions between risk levels for photo updates, the bill closes previous gaps that could let lower-risk offenders have outdated photos, making monitoring and identification more consistent statewide.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Sex Offenders' Yearly Photos
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to correction
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 60–0
- Ordered to third reading cal.1748
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to correction
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–1
Show 3 earlier actions
- Ordered to third reading cal.1861
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to crime victims, crime and 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.
Sex Offenders Must Appear Annually
In Assembly Committee · Correction · Sponsor Aravella Simotas
Full text
4 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2477
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. GIANARIS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction
AN ACT to amend the correction law, in relation to the registration of sex offenders; and to repeal paragraphs (b-2) and (b-3) of subdivision
2 of section 168-f of such law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 168-b of the correction law, as amended by section 1 of part O of chapter 56 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
(b) A photograph, including the date such photograph was taken, if known, and set of fingerprints. [For a sex offender given a level three designation, the] The division shall, during the period of registration, update such photograph once each year for every sex offender. [For a sex offender given a level one or level two designation, the division shall, during the period of registration, update such photograph once every three years.] The division shall notify the sex offender by mail of the duty to appear and be photographed at the specified law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. Such notification shall be mailed at least thirty days and not more than sixty days before the photograph is required to be taken pursuant to subdivision two of section one hundred sixty-eight-f of this article.
§ 2. Paragraphs (b-2) and (b-3) of subdivision 2 of section 168-f of the correction law are REPEALED and a new paragraph (b-2) is added to read as follows:
(b-2) No later than thirty calendar days after each anniversary of the sex offender's initial registration date, the sex offender shall personally appear at the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction for the purpose of providing a current photograph of such offender. The duty to personally appear shall be temporarily suspended during any period in
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04543-01-7
S. 2477 2
which the sex offender is confined to any state or local correctional facility, hospital or institution and shall immediately recommence on the date of the sex offender's release.
§ 3. Paragraph (c-1) of subdivision 2 of section 168-f of the correction law, as added by section 2 of part O of chapter 56 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
(c-1) If the sex offender, to whom a notice has been mailed at the last reported address pursuant to paragraph [b] (b) of subdivision one of section one hundred sixty-eight-b of this article, fails to personally appear at the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, as provided in paragraph (b-2) [or (b-3)] of this subdivision, within [twenty] thirty days of the anniversary of the sex offender's initial registration, or an alternate later date scheduled by the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction, he or she shall be in violation of this section. The duty to personally appear for such updated photograph shall be temporarily suspended during any period in which the sex offender is confined in any hospital or institution, and such sex offender shall personally appear for such updated photograph no later than ninety days after release from such hospital or institution, or an alternate later date scheduled by the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
§ 4. Section 168-j of the correction law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
6. The law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall photograph a sex offender who personally appears pursuant to paragraph (b-2) of subdivision two of section one hundred sixty-eight-f of this article and shall promptly forward a copy of such photograph to the division along with the date the photograph was taken.
§ 5. 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, along with the date such photograph was taken if known, 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. In addition, in such case, the information described herein 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:
S. 2477 3
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, along with the date such photograph was taken if known, 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. In addition, in such case, the information described herein 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.
§ 6. Subdivision 1 of section 168-q of the correction law, as amended by chapter 462 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
1. The division shall maintain a subdirectory of level two and three sex offenders. The subdirectory shall include the exact address, address of the offender's place of employment and photograph of the sex offender, along with the date such photograph was taken if known, along with the following information, if available: name, physical description, age and distinctive markings. Background information including all of the sex offender's crimes of conviction that require him or her to register pursuant to this article, modus 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 a description of special conditions imposed on the sex offender shall also be included. The subdirectory shall have sex offender listings categorized by county and zip code. Such subdirectory shall be made available at all times on the internet via the division homepage. Any person may apply to the division to receive automated e-mail notifications whenever a new or updated subdirectory registration occurs in a geographic area specified by such person. The division shall furnish such service at no charge to such person, who shall request
S. 2477 4
e-mail notification by county and/or zip code on forms developed and provided by the division. E-mail notification is limited to three geographic areas per e-mail account.
§ 7. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the correction law, in relation to the registration of sex offenders; and to repeal paragraphs (b-2) and (b-3) of subdivision 2 of section 168-f of such law relating thereto
Purpose
This bill would require all registered sex offenders to have a new photograph taken each year and to have such photograph included in their sex offender registration. Also requires the date such photograph was taken to accompany the information.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section 168-b of the correction law requiring that photographs in the sex offender registry include the date on which such photograph was taken and shall be updated annually for all sex offenders.
Section 2 repeals paragraphs (b-2) and (b-3) of subdivision 2 of section 168f of the correction law and adds a new paragraph (b-2) requiring that all registered sex offenders personally appear at law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction for the purpose of providing a current photograph of such offender. The law enforcement agency is directed to forward the photograph to the Division of Criminal Justice Services along with the date such photograph was taken.
Section 3 amends paragraph (c-1) of subdivision 2 of section 168-f of the correction law changes the time for such appearance to 30 days.
Section 4 amends section 168-j of the correction law by adding a new subdivision 6 providing that the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction shall promptly forward the photograph to the division of criminal justice services.
Section 5 amends paragraphs (b) and (c) of subdivision 6 of section 168-1 of the correction law requiring publishing the date of such photographs.
Section 6 amends subdivision 1 of section 168-q of the correction law to require the Division of Criminal Justice Service's database of sex offenders include the dates of such photographs.
Justification
Although a picture of a sex offender is included in the information initially required to be provided to the sex offender registry, Only level 3 offenders are required to appear annually to update the photo. Level 1 and 2 offenders are only required to appear every 3 years. Requiring annual photographs for all offenders will ensure that the information in the registry is accurate and useful to those who access it.
Legislative history
2016: Passed Senate 2015: Passed Senate 2014: Senate Bill 579 (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee. 2012: Senate Bill 2508-A (Gianaris) - Died in Senate Rules Committee 2012: Assembly Bill 4906-A (Simotas) - Died in Assembly Corrections Committee 2010: Assembly Bill 5263 (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Corrections Committee
2008: Assembly Bill 4993 (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Corrections Committee 2006: Assembly Bill 4403 (Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Corrections Committee 2004: Senate Bill 3925-A (Skelos) - Passed Senate 57-1 (6/2/04); Passed Senate 57-1 (2/9/04); Passed Senate 59-1 (5/19/03) 2004: Assembly Bill 8320-A (Rules/Gianaris) - Died in Assembly Corrections Committee
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law.
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