In an effort to help keep violent sex offenders off our streets, Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) today called on the Assembly Majority to end the legislative gridlock that has kept civil confinement legislation from becoming law.
“Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is a major obstacle in the passage of civil confinement legislation in New York,” remarked Reilich. “The Assembly Minority, the former governor and the state Senate have all supported civil confinement legislation, and our newly-elected governor hinted that he too supports civil confinement legislation. It is time for the Speaker to act on this important legislation and put partisan politics aside.”
In his State of the State address Spitzer made civil confinement a priority for his administration and noted, “One New York means a state where parents do not have to worry about a sexual predator being released straight from prison back into their neighborhoods.” The Assembly Minority hopes that the governor will be able to help end the gridlock in the Assembly and convince Speaker Silver of the importance of civil confinement legislation.
“Civil confinement is long overdue in New York,” said Reilich. “Our conference first introduced this legislation when Mario Cuomo was governor. Unfortunately, it has been held up in committee for 13 years. This is a poor reflection on the state of affairs in Albany.”
During a special session in December, Governor Pataki made a final attempt to sign civil confinement legislation into law only to have the bill blocked in committee by the Assembly majority. The Senate passed the bill unanimously.
“I am hopeful that with Spitzer’s support, we will be able to garner the votes necessary to pass civil confinement in the Assembly,” added Reilich. “Civil confinement is long overdue.”