Legislative Update
New budget unveiled; Megan's Law strengthened
This past week was an important one for the New York
State Legislature and the citizens and taxpayers we
represent. Gov. Pataki unveiled his $110.7 billion
2006-07 budget, and in the coming months I will be
working to ensure that the budget’s final version is
one that truly serves all New Yorkers, especially in
the areas of education and economic development. I
am also committed to an on-time passage of the
budget for the second year in a row.
On the legislative front, the Assembly and Senate
reached an agreement, which I co-sponsored, on the
strengthening of
Megan’s
Law, which requires all sex offenders to register
with the state. Because this important statute took
effect in 1996 and was set to expire after 10 years,
hundreds of predators were eligible to be dropped
from the
registry in 2006. To prevent this, the Legislature
updated Megan’s Law so that low-risk offenders must
register for 20 years instead of 10. Moderate-risk
offenders register for life, although they may
petition for
removal after 30 years. But individuals who pose
the highest risk of recidivism will remain on the
registry for life with no possibility of removal.
Also, the Assembly and Senate
continue to work toward an agreement on civil
confinement for sex offenders who represent an
on-going threat even after release from prison. Read
about the changes to Megan's Law by using the links
below.
Protecting our most vulnerable citizens, our
children, from sexual predators is an issue that
rises above partisan politics, and I’m proud of the
action we've taken to achieve that goal. Last year,
the Legislature acted in similar fashion by passing
a bill I authored, clearing the way for criminal
background checks of prospective nursing home and
home health care employees. To find out more about
this continuing effort to safeguard New York's ill
and elderly, read today's New
York Daily News article.
Megan's Law
Speaker Silver Announces Megan's Law Agreement
New York Daily News
$500,000 for Hillside Children's Center
Closer to home, I’m pleased to announce $500,000 in
state funding for a major renovation project at
Hillside Children’s Center’s Monroe Avenue campus.
This is an organization that has served upstate New
York’s families and children with compassion and
distinction since 1837, and CEO Dennis Richardson
and his staff continue that tradition into the 21st
century. It is an honor to contribute to Hillside's
great legacy.
More About Hillside Children's Center
About NYS Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle
Since 1990, Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle has
represented the 132nd Assembly District, which
includes portions of the city of Rochester and the
Monroe County suburbs of Irondequoit and Brighton.
During his tenure in the NYS Legislature, Joe has
made economic development and expanding
employment opportunities his top priority.
