What's happening
This bill requires annual mailed notification to every adult resident listing the names and addresses of level two and level three sex offenders living in their county.
Why it matters
Expands access to sex offender information beyond digital means, ensuring all adult residents—including those without internet access—are annually informed by mail about level two and three sex offenders in their county.
Could increase community awareness and vigilance, especially in neighborhoods with vulnerable populations, by providing specific names and addresses directly to residents.
Raises privacy and safety concerns for offenders and their families, as personal information will be broadly distributed and could potentially lead to harassment or unintended consequences.
Imposes new administrative and financial responsibilities on the Division of Criminal Justice Services to compile, update, and mail comprehensive lists to every adult resident annually, which may impact state or county budgets.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Mail Sex Offender Lists
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6205
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- 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 requiring the division of criminal justice services to provide the name and address of each level two and level three sex offender to each adult resident residing in the county in which such sex offender resides
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. 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11609-01-7
S. 6205 2
request, be made available to the public. Provided, further, that the division shall, on or before February fifteenth each year, provide and deliver, by mail, to each adult resident of each county, a list of the name and address of every sex offender residing in such county.
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. 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. Provided, further, that the division shall, on or before February fifteenth each year, provide and deliver, by mail, to each adult resident of each county, a list of the name and address of every sex offender residing in such county.
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. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which 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 requiring the division of criminal justice services to provide the name and address of each level two and level three sex offender to each adult resident residing in the county in which such sex offender resides
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill directs the Division of Criminal Justice Services to annually provide a list of all level 2 and 3 sex offenders residing in a county, to the residents of such county.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 amends paragraphs (b) and (c) of subdivision 6 of section 168-1 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.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Notification provisions of New York States sex offender laws must be revised to ensure that the public is aware where they reside. This meas- ure would require Division of Criminal Justice Services to annually provide to all county residents a list of all level 2 and 3 sex offen- ders residing in their county. This bill will enhance public protection and raise awareness of county residents about individuals who may be residing in their neighborhoods who have committed sex crimes.
Prior legislative history
2017: S.6205 - Referred to Crime Victims, Crime & Corrections 2016: S.8050 - Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.