Protect Children From Sex Offenders
In his first visit to Long Island since being elected State Senate Majority Leader earlier this month, Senator Malcolm A. Smith met Jan. 30 with Senator Craig Johnson to announce the introduction of a major piece of statewide legislation that will protect children from predators.The bill, S.1300, is a direct response to a recent State Supreme Court decision that invalidated Rockland County's sex offender residency law. That ruling nullified the local law asserting that under state law, the express authority to determine housing residency for sex offenders lies only with local probation offices. Using that standard some 80 local "child safety zone" laws across the state risk invalidation.
"While I have the utmost respect for the judicial branch, this particular decision is the result of a confusing patchwork of laws that we seek to simplify," Senator Smith said. "Myself and Senator Johnson are both parents, and we understand the importance of getting our laws right so that no child is placed in harm's way."
