Bill Closes Loophole for Sex Offenders [AUDIO]

Working with children would be prohibited for sex offenders, who are considered a risk to repeat their crimes, under a bill that's been introduced by Assemblywomen Caroline Casagrande and Pamela Lampitt.

"Those convicted of these most heinous crimes should never be permitted to work with children again," said Casagrande. "Although there are safeguards preventing sex offenders from being teachers or sports coaches, there is very little stopping an offender from working in less-structured settings such as tutoring or private sports or music instruction. This is a dangerous loophole we must close."

Restricting Positions with Direct Access to Children

"It is outrageous that convicted child abusers can take advantage of loopholes in the law to work in roles giving them direct access to children," said Lampitt. "Make no mistake, convicted child abusers at high risk of repeating their crimes have no place in work environments that give them direct contact with children. I am pleased to work in a bipartisan fashion to close this dangerous loophole in our laws. The safety of our children and our communities demands no less."

The measure would make it illegal for sex offenders with moderate or high risks of re-offense to hold jobs, positions, situations or employment of any type that primarily consists of contact with children.

Violators would be subject to a third-degree crime with penalties of three to five years behind bars, a fine of up to $15,000 or both.