(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I- East Patchogue) hosted a press conference today to highlight the need to fix laws pertaining to the sex offender registry to help keep our children and communities safe. Since the start of 2016, some level one sex offenders have been removed from the registry, while a State Appeals Court decision last year removed all local restrictions on where convicted sex offenders may reside. He was joined by his Assembly colleagues and Paul Alonzo, Program Manager of Parents for Megan’s Law.
“In February 2015, a State Court of Appeals decision overturned all local laws that restricted where sex offenders can reside and since the beginning of this year, level one sex offenders have begun dropping off of the sex offender registry,” said Murray. “That is why I have introduced legislation (A.8503) that tackles both of these issues. This bill will extend the amount of time that level one offenders must be on the sex offender registry from 20 to 30 years and will allow local governments to set reasonable restrictions as to where sex offenders may reside.”
Assemblyman Dean Murray hosted a press conference on the need to fix laws pertaining to the sex offender registry. Photo Credit: NYS.
Megan’s Law created the sex offender registry 20 years ago. Parents for Megan’s Law has been advocating for all those affected by sexual predators. Laura Ahearn, Executive Director, represented by Program Manager Paul Alonzo at the press conference, emphasized the need to fix this law immediately.
“Parents and community organizations across New York are no longer able to fully determine if someone has sexually victimized a child or an adult because thousands of offenders are dropping off the registry,” said Ahearn. “What is most frightening is that your child’s soccer coach, baseball or softball coach, summer camp counselor, or even the local Mall’s Santa could be a convicted sex offender, and you would never know.”
The bill is being carried by Sen. Michael Venditto (R- Massapequa) in the state Senate (S.6066) and is currently being held for consideration in the Assembly Corrections Committee. For those who are looking to help, please visit FixTheLawNow.com and sign the petition calling on state leaders to take action.
