Albany, NY – Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law a bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D,I,WF – Forestburgh) that improves the New York State Sex Offender Registry to include all sex crimes of an offender (Chap. 462 of 2014).

“The more information a community has, the better able it is to protect itself,” said Assemblywoman Gunther. “This legislation is a simple measure that will go a long way to making sure that parents are better able to protect their children and seniors and other vulnerable people are better able to protect themselves.”

Prior to the law, the Registry included only the most recent offense and no details regarding any previous sex offenses. For instance, if a person were convicted of second-degree attempted sodomy, a Class E felony, and, subsequent to that, third-degree sexual abuse, a Class B misdemeanor, only the more recent, lesser conviction would have appeared on the Registry.

Scott Kinne, Chief of the Village of Liberty Police Department said, “This law is an important step forward in protecting our children and vulnerable citizens in our communities from sexual predators. The key to prevention is information and awareness, and by making these details available to everyone, parents and concerned citizens can appropriately safeguard themselves and their children.”