PROPOSED LAW WOULD GIVE NEWCOMERS ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON SEX OFFENDERS

Proposed state legislation would enable prospective homebuyers or renters to find out about potentially dangerous sex offenders living in the neighborhood.  Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law, a community based organization that works to ensure proper enforcement of the state sex offender notification law, said the bill would amend New York's Real Property Law to require real estate agents and landlords to inform potential buyers and renters about subdirectories that provide specific information about high risk sex offenders living in their area.  Buyers and renters will receive a standard form advising them that they can obtain information by calling a 1-900 telephone number.  State Assemblyman Steven Englebright and State Senator James Lack are sponsoring a related piece of legislation seeking to reduce the fee for calling this number from $5.00 to a more affordable 50 cents.