File #: Res 0980-2005    Version: Name: Enact sex offense provisions similar to those adopted in Florida, as part of the Jessica Lunsford Act.
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Public Safety
On agenda: 5/25/2005
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to increase penalties for those who commit sex offenses against children, similar to provisions adopted in Florida as part of the Jessica Lunsford Act.
Sponsors: Peter F. Vallone, Jr., James F. Gennaro, Sara M. Gonzalez, Michael C. Nelson, James Sanders, Jr., Dennis P. Gallagher, Andrew J. Lanza, James S. Oddo, John C. Liu, David I. Weprin
Council Member Sponsors: 10
Attachments: 1. Committee Report 11/29/05, 2. Hearing Transcript 11/29/05, 3. Committee Report 12/12/05, 4. Hearing Transcript 12/12/05, 5. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 12/21/05
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/21/2005APeter F. Vallone, Jr. City Council Approved, by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
12/12/2005*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. Committee on Public Safety Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/12/2005*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. Committee on Public Safety Amendment Proposed by Comm  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/12/2005*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. Committee on Public Safety Amended by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/12/2005APeter F. Vallone, Jr. Committee on Public Safety Approved by CommitteePass Action details Meeting details Not available
11/29/2005*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. Committee on Public Safety Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
11/29/2005*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. Committee on Public Safety Laid Over by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/25/2005*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/25/2005*Peter F. Vallone, Jr. City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 980-A

 

Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to increase penalties for those who commit sex offenses against children, similar to provisions adopted in Florida as part of the Jessica Lunsford Act.

 

By Council Members Vallone Jr., Gennaro, Gonzalez, Nelson, Sanders Jr., Gallagher, Lanza, Oddo, Liu and Weprin

 

Whereas, Sex-based crimes continue to be a tragic reality that challenge communities and law enforcement agencies throughout the nation and it is imperative to ensure that offenders are punished accordingly, especially those offenders whose victims are minors and children; and

Whereas, On May 2, 2005, in response to the recent tragedies of two young girls in Florida, Governor Jeb Bush signed into state law the Jessica Lunsford Act, which strengthens punishment and monitoring of child sex abusers within the State of Florida; and

Whereas, The Act increases the penalty for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child to life in prison or a 25-year prison term and lifetime electronic supervision and requires those already convicted of sex crimes to have electronic monitoring for the remainder of their probation; and

Whereas, Experts in the field of sexual and mental disorders, as well as numerous scientific studies, indicate that sex offenders have extremely high occurrences of re-offending, once released; and

Whereas, Under current law in New York State, a first time offender who is convicted of certain sex crimes against children may only be eligible for a five-year prison term; and

Whereas, Although the 2001 Sexual Assault Reform Act increased penalties for certain sex crimes, so that a persistent violent felony offender convicted of rape in the first degree would receive an indeterminate sentence of 20 to 25 years to life, more needs to be done to further increase sentencing; and

Whereas, Given that current state sex offender laws are still too lenient and endanger the welfare of New York’s children, state legislators must act expeditiously on such legislation to ensure that these children are safeguarded from those who may inflict physical and emotional harm on them; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to increase penalties for those who commit sex offenses against children, similar to provisions adopted in Florida as part of the Jessica Lunsford Act.