What's happening
This bill prohibits registered sex offenders from residing in community homes for individuals with mental or developmental disabilities in New York.
Why it matters
Aims to protect vulnerable populations. By barring registered sex offenders from living in state-licensed community residences for individuals with mental or developmental disabilities, the bill seeks to reduce potential risks faced by residents who may be less able to recognize, avoid, or report predatory behavior.
Impacts housing options for released offenders. This restriction could limit where registered sex offenders can legally live, potentially making post-release housing searches more challenging and affecting their reintegration into the community.
Could affect facility operations. Community residences and state agencies may need to update their policies and screening processes, possibly increasing administrative burdens and requiring closer coordination with law enforcement to ensure compliance.
Reflects broader public safety concerns. The legislation responds to ongoing debates about how best to balance the rights of offenders with the safety needs of particularly vulnerable groups, highlighting a legislative trend toward increasing residency restrictions for certain high-risk individuals.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Bar Sex Offenders from Group Homes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
- Referred to crime victims, crime and correction
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3390
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 6, 2019
Introduced by Sens. RANZENHOFER, AKSHAR, GALLIVAN, KENNEDY -- 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 prohibiting sex offenders from residing in community homes
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The correction law is amended by adding a new section 168- ee to read as follows:
§ 168-ee. Community residences. Any sex offender registered pursuant to this article shall be prohibited from residing in a community residence. A community residence, for purposes of this section, shall be defined as any facility operated by or subject to licensure by the office of mental health or the office for people with developmental disabilities which provides a supervised residence or residential respite services for individuals with mental disabilities.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01618-01-9
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 prohibiting sex offenders from residing in community homes
Purpose and justification
This bill would prohibit sex offenders, who are required to be regis- tered pursuant to the Corrections Law, from residing in a community residence.
The residents of our community residences with mental disabilities are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our state. Although the community residences provide oversight and supervision in these homes, it is inappropriate that registered sex offenders, who have been deter- mined to have committed sex crimes, should be placed in close and continual proximity to reside with these most vulnerable individuals who deserve the best care and protection that we can provide.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 - adds a new section 168-ee to the Corrections Law which provides that any sex offender registered pursuant to Article 6-C of the Corrections Law shall be prohibited from residing in a community resi- dence, which, for the purposes of this section, is defined as any facil- ity operated by or subject to licensure by the Office of Mental Health or the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities which provides a supervised residence or residential respite services for individuals with mental disabilities.
Section 2 - of the bill provides for an immediate effective date.
Existing law
Currently, registered sex offenders are permitted to reside in community residences.
Prior legislative history
2014 - S.7503/A.9724 - PASSED SENATE/Corrections 2015-16 - S.2885/a.4254 -- PASSED SENATE/Corrections 2017-18 - S.3027 - PASSED SENATE
Fiscal implications
None.
Local impact
None.
Effective date
The bill would take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.