Bill > A05209

This bill addresses registration requirements for sex offenders who do not have a fixed residence (referred to as "homeless sex offenders") by defining new terms and establishing specific reporting procedures. The legislation introduces two key definitions: a "homeless sex offender" is someone required to register who lacks a permanent address where they can receive mail, and a "sex offender registration officer" is a county-designated person responsible for tracking the location of homeless sex offenders and reporting this information to the state registry. The bill requires homeless sex offenders to report to their county's registration officer every ten calendar days, providing updates on their current locations, including places like shelters or emergency housing. The sex offender registration officer is authorized to share location information with other officers, law enforcement, probation, and parole agencies. The bill also modifies the state's sex offender registry to include additional information about homeless offenders and establishes new criminal penalties for non-compliance, with homeless sex offenders facing a class A misdemeanor for a first offense of failing to report, escalating to a class E felony for subsequent offenses. These changes aim to improve tracking and compliance of sex offenders without stable housing while ensuring they remain registered and their whereabouts are monitored.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5209