Bill > A05977

This bill amends the Correction Law in New York to establish new provisions related to sex offender registration and residency restrictions. The key changes include: 1) Requiring lifetime registration for certain level one sex offenders who have committed specific serious crimes or have prior designations as a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. 2) Allowing level one and level two sex offenders who have registered for at least 30 years to petition to be relieved of the duty to register, if they can show their risk of repeat offense and threat to public safety no longer necessitates registration. 3) Enabling local and state law enforcement to enact residency restrictions for certain high-risk and/or offenders who committed crimes against minors, with limitations on how close they can live to schools, workplaces/residences of victims, and prior residences of deceased victims. The bill also includes a severability clause and an effective date provision to apply the new requirements retroactively to existing registered sex offenders.