Gary D. Finch

MEGAN’S LAW REFORM WILL KEEP CHILDREN SAFER

     Several weeks ago, I stood with Governor Pataki and my Assembly Republican colleagues to call on the state Legislature to address a serious flaw in the Megan’s Law Sex Offender Registry.

     I am pleased to say that, since then, both parties have come together to prevent vital information about thousands of convicted sex offenders from dropping off the registry.  I have no doubt this significant legislation will keep women and children in New York safer.

     The legislation passed to improve Megan’s Law, which was signed into law by the Governor, requires Level 3 sex offenders – the most dangerous predators and the most likely to repeat their crimes once released from prison – to continue registering for life.  Under the agreement, Level 2 offenders must register for 30 years as opposed to the original 10 years, before they can petition a judge for removal from the database.  Level 1 offenders, considered the lowest risk to offend again must register for 20 years rather than the current 10 years.

     This agreement is a great victory for New York families.  If the state Legislature did not repair Megan’s Law, the chances of an attack by a convicted sex offender who is freed from prison would have multiplied. 

     The first 168 Level 1 and Level 2 sex offenders (129 are Level 2 or moderate risk) were due to drop off the Megan’s Law registry on January 21.  That number would have jumped to 3,500 by year’s end if the Legislature didn’t revise Megan’s Law.

     Assembly Republicans have advanced civil confinement policy and Megan’s Law reforms for some time.  Sexual predators should not be let out of our sights and, thankfully, we have a landmark agreement to continue to keep these individuals under close scrutiny. 

     We have already turned to the vigorous pursuit of civil confinement legislation of the most dangerous sex offenders, just as we did with Megan’s Law. The positive momentum we have built will help make this happen.

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