Assemblyman David G. McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) again demanded action from the Assembly leadership on important legislation that has languished in committees since the bills were introduced.

This year’s legislative session ends June 23 and many important legislative issues have yet to be addressed including: civil confinement, strengthening Megan’s Law, reform of New York’s vicarious liability statute, and legislation to stop methamphetamine production, noted McDonough.

"Our children and communities deserve the increased protection this legislation would provide," said McDonough, vice chair of the Assembly Minority Task Force on Sex Crimes Against Children and Women, known as S.A.V.E.-NY. "The failure to address this legislation is a failure of the Assembly majority to protect our communities from sexual predators and the increasing production of methamphetamine in New York. We have had the opportunity, because of this year’s on-time state budget, to address many important legislative issues, yet the majority has dragged its feet or stalled the legislation in committees. This is unacceptable to New Yorkers."

Civil confinement would give judges the authority to order dangerous sexual predators held in secure mental health facilities after the completion of their prison terms if the offenders are deemed to pose continuing threats to society.

Proposals to strengthen Megan’s Law would restrict sex offenders’ access to schools, monitoring of sex offenders’ movements through Global Positioning System satellites, provide more information about sexual predators to communities and require lifetime registration of offenders on the state Sex Offender Registry.

Regarding vicarious liability, McDonough said, "Consumers in New York have fewer options when it comes to leasing cars. The current law is outdated and needs to change in order to restore options for New York consumers."

McDonough, the ranking minority member of the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee, noted that New York is the only state with a law holding auto leasing companies responsible for damage caused by drivers, or lessees, as a result of accidents.

Meanwhile, a comprehensive legislative package designed to address the growing methamphetamine (meth) production problem has been promoted by the Assembly minority conference during the current session, with no action taken by the majority.