As Chairman of the Assembly Republican Sex Offender Watch Task Force, I have listened to testimony from parents and advocacy groups across New York. One concern they have is a loophole in current state law, which allows a sex offender no longer supervised by a probation officer to enter school grounds.

Level 2 (moderate risk of repeat offense) and Level 3 (high risk of repeat offense) sex offenders could some day be released from court ordered supervision and have full access to school grounds, regardless of the threat of repeat offense the Division of Criminal Justice Services say they pose to our community.

As a co-sponsor of Assembly Bill (A. 7507), I am calling for its immediate passage in the Assembly. It would amend the existing state law by granting school administrators the authority to restrict access to school grounds.

The Senate passed this legislation in January 2007, but Assembly leadership has dragged its feet and not allowed the bill to come to the floor for a vote.

When the Assembly returns for session, this high priority and long-overdue legislation needs to be passed. Strong legislation that protects our children should never be held in committee.