NEW YORK:  PATAKI BIDS TO TOUGHEN MEGAN’S LAW

Governor Pataki want to include the photos, descriptions and victim patterns of up to 50 times more sex offenders on a state Web site so the public can more readily identify offenders in their neighborhoods.  Another proposal released by Pataki yesterday would provide for the arrest of convicted sex offenders if they fail to report their address to authorities each year, even if they don't move.  He said the proposals would strengthen the ability of law-enforcement agencies to keep track of sex offenders and provide the information to the public under Megan's Law.  Currently, sex offenders are required, under Megan's Law, to notify police when they move and to confirm, by mail, their address each year, even when they don't move.  Pataki would also place the names of as many as 17,000 lesser sex offenders on the state's Web site.  

(New York)