Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) today hailed an agreement to keep sex offenders civilly confined upon their release from prison.

“Tomorrow marks the 14th year since civil confinement was first introduced by our minority conference,” said Hawley. "It is unfortunate it took so long to reach an agreement on a common-sense law that protects children and makes our communities safer. Our conference’s diligence to keep this issue at the forefront and willingness to negotiate in a spirit of bipartisanship has brought forth legislation that will benefit all New Yorkers.”

“Throughout my time in the state Assembly, I have been a vocal advocate of civil confinement. With passage of civil confinement, families in our community will be able to live with the peace of mind knowing that dangerous predators are off the street and away from children. No longer will we hear of cases, like in Hilton and Batavia, where Level 3 sex offenders were released into society, in areas where children live and play.”