NY Legislators Hail New Law Aimed At Cracking Down On Internet Pervs

Not only have the latest advances in communications revolutionized the way people communicate, they have also opened new opportunities for sexual predators and perverts, Assemblymember Ellen Young stated.

Pictured are, (l. to r.) Assemblymembers Marge Markey Nettie Mayersohn, Ellen Young, Senator Dean Skelos, Governor David Paterson, Assemblymember Joe Lentol, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. But with the implementation of a new law, "We are giving New York some of the most effective tools in the nation to crack down on sexual predators," she said.

Also commenting on the new law, state Senator Malcolm Smith (D- Jamaica), Democratic Minority Leader, stated: "The safety and protection of our children is a paramount concern among all New Yorkers. With the Internet and other high-tech communication devices infiltrating all aspects of our life, both good and bad, more needs to be done to protect the most vulnerable among us."

Smith said another one of his bills which has passed both houses in Albany "allows for the use of hearsay evidence from sexually abused minors aimed at allowing the out-of-court testimony from a child less than 12 years of age to be admissible during a sex abuse trial".

The new law, recently signed by Governor David Paterson, will help thwart perverts attempting to commit sex crimes against children by prohibiting inappropriate use of the Internet, Young (D- Flushing) explained.

The impetus for the new statute was provided by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Under its provisions, Young said, all sex offenders who are required to register under Megan's Law must "now also register with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) all Internet accounts and provide all electronic mail addresses and designations used for the purpose of "chatting, messaging, social networking or any other similar Internet communications".

Young said the law also requires past known sex offenders to notify DCJS within 10 days if any of that data changes. Failure to do so will subject that person to the current penalties under Megan's Law covering failure to register. This is a Class A felony for a first offense, Young pointed out, and a Class D felony for subsequent offenses.

Young said sex offenders' Internet information will be made available to social networking Web sites which will be authorized to pre-screen or remove offenders and to advise law enforcement officials of a potential violation of the new law or a threat to public safety.

Young stated, "The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act, called 'e-STOP', is the result of a landmark agreement with Attorney General Cuomo to prevent those convicted of sex crimes from preying on children through cyberspace."

- John Toscano