Assemblyman Steve Labriola recently announced that he is introducing legislation to strengthen the current Megan's Law by increasing the scope of notification of Level Three sex offenders, and by removing notification discretion by local police to schools where sex offenders target minor children.

"This bill will require law enforcement agencies to notify local superintendents of public schools, heads of private schools and local elected officials, including but not limited to, state legislators, mayors, county executives, legislators, trustees, town supervisors and town board members," said Labriola. "Furthermore, all adjacent residential and commercial property owners located within 1,000 feet of the sex offender's address would be notified by the local enforcement agency."

The Sex Offender Registration Act became effective Jan. 21, 1996. The act is modeled after New Jersey's "Megan's Law," named for 7-year-old Megan Kanka, who was raped and murdered in 1994 by a twice-convicted sex offender who lived across the street from her house.

Sexual predators are classified into three categories: Level One, Two or Three. If the risk of repeat offense is low, a Level One designation is given; if the risk of repeat offense is moderate, a Level Two designation is given; and finally, if the risk of repeat offense is high, and there is a threat to the public safety, the sex offender is labeled "a sexually violent predator" and a Level Three designation is given.

According to Labriola, sex offenders must register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) annually for a period of 10 years from the initial date of registration. Level Three offenders must register annually and verify quarterly for a minimum of 10 years unless relieved of such duty by the court. Registration consists of a written statement signed by the sex offender giving information such as date of conviction, aliases used, date of birth, race, height, weight, eye color and address. They must also include a description of the offense for which the sex offender was convicted, a photograph and set of fingerprints.

"It is not enough that law enforcement agencies notify the public schools of sex offenders living in the community. We need to broaden the scope to include private schools and elected officials so more people have the ability to warn others when there is a violent sexual predator living in their community," commented Labriola. "With the passage of this bill, we can strengthen Megan's Law and protect our children."

According to DCJS, which maintains the New York State Sex Offender Registry, there are 11,521 sex offenders registered in New York State. Of that number, 3,442 are registered statewide as Level Three sex offenders. In Nassau County alone there are 271 sex offenders on the registry. For additional information on the sex offender registry, individuals may access the department's website at www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us.

Individuals who are concerned and would like additional information can call the Sex Offender Registry Information Line at 1-900-288-3838. The cost of the call is $.50, and the caller must have the offender's name and at least one of the following identifiers: the offender's street address and apartment number, driver's license number, social security number or date of birth. Additional information is also available at www.parentsformeganslaw.com