Crime Committee Report e.indd - New York State Senate

Chapter 478 of the Laws of 2009
S.1362-C KLEIN, ADDABBO, AUBERTINE, BRESLIN, DIAZ, ESPADA, FOLEY, HUNTLEY, C.
JOHNSON, MAZIARZ, ONORATO, SAMPSON, SAVINO, STAVISKY, THOMPSON /A 1242-B
Lancman
Sex Offender Registration & Automatic Updates
Signed into law by Governor Paterson, this legislation amends the Correction Law to provide
New Yorkers free e-mail notification of changes or updates in the State’s sex offender website.
The primary purpose of the state sex offender registry is to provide information to help New
Yorkers keep themselves and their families safe from known sex offenders living in their communities.
While local law enforcement agencies may elect to distribute information about registered
sex offenders to the surrounding community, many parents, schools, and community leaders
also monitor the registry. A subdirectory of the highest risk (Level 3) sex offenders is available on
the internet, but its information changes daily as new offenders are added or existing registrants
change their information. Automated e-mail updates allow New Yorkers to keep tabs on a specific
geographic area within New York, such as where they live or where their children attend school,
and save them the time consuming chore of making regular visits to the subdirectory website.
The update is free of charge and is limited to three geographic areas per e-mail account. This
legislation passed the Senate unanimously.
Chapter 82 of the Laws of 2010
S.5774 HASSELL-THOMPSON, PERALTA/ A8613 Jeffries
Right of Election for Inmates
Signed into law by Governor Paterson, this new law permits an inmate a right to either go
back to court for re-sentencing; or agree to a DOCS placement in an comparable and alternative
program, when it is determined that Willard was not the appropriate program for the
inmate. This new law will save the State money by reducing congested court calendars and
reducing the number of trips between an upstate facility and the Supreme and County Courts
should an inmate elect not to challenge the technical deviations of the sentence imposed by
the judge.
S.2072-A
Chapter 291 of the Laws of 2009
HUNTLEY, ADAMS, HASSELL-THOMPSON, KRUEGER, PARKER, SAMPSON, SAVINO,
STAVISKY /A606-A Destito
Clergy Access to Inmates
Signed into law by Governor Paterson, this legislation amends the Correction Law, to expand
the authority of clergy to provide religious counseling to inmates housed within the confines of
their counties. Prior to changes in the law, ministers and pastors were only allowed “at pleasure”
visits to facilities located in their congregational towns. The new law expands the opportunities
of clergy to make much needed contact with inmates. Often, religious instruction and
counseling plays a key role in successful rehabilitation. This new law recognizes the power of
faith and encourages prisoners to reflect on their past and hope for a better future.
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New York State Senate