Bill > S03645

This bill addresses the challenges of tracking sex offenders who do not have a permanent residence by introducing two key definitions: "homeless sex offender" and "sex offender registration officer". A homeless sex offender is defined as a person required to register as a sex offender without a stable address where they can receive mail, though having a valid postal box would not classify them as homeless. A sex offender registration officer is a county-designated person responsible for collecting and reporting location information about homeless sex offenders to the state division, with authorization to share this information with law enforcement, probation, and parole agencies. The bill requires homeless sex offenders to report to their county's registration officer every ten calendar days, updating their current location, nighttime accommodations, and potential shelter or emergency housing information. These reports will be included in the sex offender registry, and the division is authorized to share this information with registration officers statewide. The bill also establishes penalties for non-compliance: homeless sex offenders who fail to report will be guilty of a class A misdemeanor for the first offense and a class E felony for subsequent offenses. The new provisions aim to improve tracking and monitoring of sex offenders without stable housing, enhancing public safety by ensuring more consistent registration and location reporting.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3645