Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens) announced the Assembly, Senate and governor have reached an agreement on new legislation aimed at banning the use of public funds to cover Viagra and other prescriptions, medical procedures or supplies intended to enhance sexual performance for registered sex offenders.

“It’s simply unacceptable for taxpayer dollars to go toward sexual performance-enhancing drugs or procedures for convicted sex offenders,” Hevesi said. “State Comptroller Alan Hevesi deserves our thanks for exposing this outrageous practice – and helping protect our families in the process.”

The bipartisan legislation, which Hevesi sponsored, would prohibit public funding of drugs, such as Viagra, procedures or supplies intended to treat erectile dysfunction for registered sex offenders through state-funded health insurance programs, including: Medicaid, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus (which covers teenagers up to age 19), Healthy NY, individual enrollee direct payment contracts and EPIC.

“This legislation is a common sense response to disturbing revelations involving sexual predators,” Hevesi said. “We’re taking tough, aggressive steps to prevent, punish and monitor sexual predators who stalk our streets, playgrounds and neighborhoods. The agreement between the Legislature and governor is another important step toward safeguarding our families.”