While hiring policies utilized by public schools already include background checks and ensure this security for children, other organizations do not currently practice similar diligence.
Senator Addabbo praised the passing of the bill, noting this will prevent anyone on either the New York State Sex Offender Registry or the Statewide Central Registry of Child Abuse and Maltreatment from gaining employment in a manner that again places a child at risk. This bill passed the Senate unanimously (61-0) and a vote is pending in the Assembly.
“Our primary objective must be to keep our children safe from dangerous predators,” said Senator Addabbo. “This legislation reduces the risk of exposing new victims to sexual abuse by keeping known offenders from spending extended time alone around children, like at martial arts or dance and music schools, in addition to our local schools, day care facilities and camps.”
Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Glendale), who introduced the bill in the Assembly after learning that a registered sex offender was working at a karate school in Glendale, added, “This is great news for parents and children across New York. Getting this through the Assembly and signed into law is my first priority.”
The Assemblyman continued, “Extending the background check requirement to other child-oriented fields benefits the whole community. It gives parents the peace of mind of knowing their child is safe, it guards sex offenders and abusers from potentially committing another violation, and it reduces the risk of creating new victims of sexual abuse by prohibiting known offenders from interacting with children.”
Addabbo concluded, “Should this bill become law, I plan on working with the appropriate agencies to ensure safety for our children.”
To learn more about the Sex Offender Registry, log on to http://criminaljustice.state.
