Megan’s Law

Implementation in New York State

• The Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) requires anyone on parole or probation or imprisoned for a sex offense on January 21, 1996, to register with the Division of Criminal Justice Services. In addition, sex offenders sentenced to probation, local jail, or state prison after that date must register upon their return to the community. The law is amended periodically by the New York State Legislature to add additional registerable offenses. Also, an updated list registerable offenses can be found on the Division of Criminal Justice Services website at http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/sortab1.htm.

Information Collected:

• Name, aliases, date of birth, sex, race, height, weight, eye color, address, drivers license number, photograph, fingerprints, crime of conviction, description of offense, date of conviction, type of victim targeted, modus operandi, sentence imposed, internet accounts and internet screen names, name and address of employer (level 3 offenders only), name and address of any institution of higher education at which offender is, or expects to be, enrolled, attending, employed, or residing, any special conditions of supervision, other pertinent information.

Administrating Agency and Timeframe for Registration

• New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

• Upon release to community and no later than ten days after change of address.

Duration of Requirement:

• Sex offenders who have been designated a sexual predator, a sexually violent offender or a predicate sex offender or who are classified as a Level 2 or Level 3 risk remain on the Sex Offender Registry for life. Level 1 sex offenders with no designation must register for a period of twenty years.

Verification of Address

• Annually for all registrants and personal verification for Level 3 offenders and sexual predators every 90 days with the local law enforcement agency.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• The failure to register is a crime. A first conviction is punishable as a class E felony; a subsequent conviction is punishable as a class D felony. Non- compliance may be basis for revocation of parole and probation.

Number Registered in NY

• 34,139 as of 6/11/12

• % of compliance with the law is unknown

For More Information

• http://www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/index.htm