A Case for Civil Confinement of Sexually Violent Predators
Assemblyman McDonough Assemblyman
David G.
McDonough



Assemblyman McDonough calls for Action on Civil Confinement Legislation



Dear Friends:

The Assembly Minority Task Force on Sex Crimes Against Children and Women, of which I am vice chairman, has conducted hearings throughout the state to identify deficiencies with the state’s Sex Offender Registry - part of Megan’s Law - and determine how it can be strengthened and made more effective in protecting women and children from becoming victims of sexual predators.

Information gathered from these hearings has led me to co-sponsor legislation that is designed to further protect the public from sex offenders who are deemed highly likely to engage in more acts of sexual violence upon their release from prison. The legislation, which has consistently passed the Senate, calls for civil confinement of sexually violent criminals so they receive the care and treatment needed to prevent them from attacking more unsuspecting victims.

State government has a dual responsibility to protect the public from sexually violent predators and provide professional help for offenders at a secure mental health facility after their sentences are served.

The full Assembly for each of the past five years has not been allowed to consider civil confinement legislation or the bill has been stalled in the majority-controlled Mental Health Committee. I will continue to fight to bring this legislation to the floor for a vote.

Sincerely,
signature
David G. McDonough



Civil confinement legislation would:
  • Provide a comprehensive framework for identifying, evaluating and committing sexually violent predators

  • Allow for treatment of offenders at a secure mental health facility as a way of extending greater protection to the public

  • Extend the full complement of due process protections to individuals against whom sexually violent predator petitions are brought

  • Be modeled after the Kansas statute which has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court

  • Extend to New Yorkers the protection that residents of 16 other states enjoy.



To learn more about this legislation or other legislative initiatives, you can send me an e-mail at .



3000 Hempstead Turnpike • Suite 110
Levittown, NY 11756 • (516) 731-8830


533 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-4633


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