NEW YORK:  STATE AIMS TO CUT $5 CHARGE FOR SEX-ABUSER HOT LINE

If you want to use the state's sex-offender registry to find out if your neighbor has a history of sexually abusing children, it's going to cost you $5.  That's too much money for some, including childcare centers and pre-schools that would like to check the background of employees and potential workers.  But this may change and may not be for much longer.  The state is working on a no charge Web site that would include information on the whereabouts and history of New York's most potentially dangerous offenders.  The problem was brought to the attention of state Senator James lack, by the Stony Brook based Parents for Megan's Law.  Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law and a certified social worker said a number of the non-profit group's members called to complain about the fee.  Other states are already on online with information about the sex offenders living there, many of them offer their information for free.