October 15, 2008

WROBLEWSKI CITES PUBLIC SAFETY STRIDES IN PROTECTING CHILDREN

During this year's legislative session in Albany, New York State policymakers have evidenced significant interest and activity regarding the state and local delivery of public safety. In particular, tremendous strides were taken in enacting and enhancing protections for children against sexual predators through a number of measures that were approved and signed into law.

The first measure strengthens the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). Taking effect this past July, an amendment to SORA now requires registration by persons convicted of the federal crimes of coercion and enticement, transportation of minors or use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor.

This new law closes a loophole by requiring all persons convicted of a federal sex crime against children residing in New York State to register with the New York State Sex Offender Registry. Prior to this, persons convicted of offenses in other jurisdictions, including federal offenses, were identified to the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders, as required by law, for a determination whether the crime for which the perpetrator was convicted requires registration as a sex offender. Registration was and is necessary when the offense includes all of the essential elements of a New York registerable offense. By closing this loophole, the federal offenses of coercion and enticement, transportation of minors, and use of interstate facilities to transmit information about a minor now meet this elements test and require registration - a step forward for public safety.

Another measure will assist parents and caregivers by mandating that the Department of Criminal Justice Services develop a training video that will instruct parents on how sexual predators trap children into becoming their victim. This video will be distributed to all public libraries and police precincts as another step to achieving greater safety for our children by educating those who care for them.

Further, the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act, or "e-Stop," establishes protections against sex offenders so that the public, especially children, can more safely use the internet. This initiative requires that sex offenders register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) any internet account with internet access providers and all internet identifiers used by such offenders. Social networking sites will now be able to cross-check their membership against the DCJS database of registered sex offenders to ensure that predators are unable to sign up for certain online services - one more step in our efforts on behalf of children.

In conformity with state and federal law, DCJS will be able to advise law enforcement of potential violations of law and/or threats to public safety. This new law further grants sentencing courts the express statutory authority to impose appropriate internet restrictions on convicted sex offenders as a condition of probation. New York State now has the most comprehensive set of internet security provisions in the nation. I want to recognize Assemblyman Mark Schroeder and State Senator Bill Stachowski for being alert and responsive to our community's call for decisive action in the fight against sexual predators.

Back to District 9 Homepage