Rel §168-w to be §168-x, add §168-w, Cor L; amd §65.10, Pen L
Prohibits persons required to maintain registration under the sex offender registration act from entering into an area or room in a public, association or free library designated as a children's section or designed primarily to serve a population under the age of eighteen.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A5585
SPONSOR: Weprin (MS) TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the correction law and the penal law, in relation to
prohibiting certain persons required to maintain registration under the
sex offender registration act from entering into a children's section of
a public library
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to prohibit registered sex offenders from
entering the children's section of a public library.
SUMMARY:
Adds a new section 168w to the correction law to prohibit any person
required to maintain registration as a sex offender from entering into
any area or room in a public library designated as a children's section.
Also amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 4-a of section 65.10 of the
penal law to include any room or area designated as a children's section
of a public library.
JUSTIFICATION:
On June 23, 2012 two girls ages 6 and 9 were assaulted at the Queens
Public Library. The accused perpetrator was on parole for possession of
child pornography at the time of the incident. It is vitally important
to ensure that New York's children can safely and securely visit public
libraries throughout the State. Libraries are places where children of
all ages from toddlers to teens congregate for school projects, home-
work, summer reading programs, story time presentations, learn-to-read
programs and many other activities. There should be no reason for a
convicted sex offender where the victim is a child to access the chil-
dren's area of any library. New York State has taken numerous steps to
ensure that sexual predators do not have access to children. These steps
include prohibiting sex offenders from entering school grounds, play-
grounds, accessing the Internet, accessing social media and taking part
in Halloween activities such as distributing candy. This legislation
will add another layer of security for New York's children.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A10815: 10/25/12 referred to correction
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
