Issues: Crime

The New York State Senate today passed a bill that would ban certain criminal offenders from working on school buses (S.6157A). The bill, sponsored by Senator John Bonacic, prohibits people who are convicted of offenses, such as sex and drug crimes, from being school bus monitors.  The bill also bans anyone convicted under Leandra’s Law from being a school bus driver for five years after conviction. Leandra’s Law makes it a felony to drive drunk with others in the car who are under 16 years old.

Eliminates Bureaucratic Red-Tape Preventing Experienced Cops From Landing New Jobs

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I – 59th District) introduced legislation today to allow the 20 recently laid-off Niagara Transportation Authority (NFTA) police officers to transfer to law enforcement job openings that may exist with nearby departments.

Over half of all criminal convictions fail to require collection of DNA
Expansion covers all convicted felonies and penal law misdemeanors
Proposal expected to add 46,000 DNA samples a year to database

Batavia, NY – State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer  joined local law enforcement officials Thursday morning to announce passage of legislation in the State Senate that would expand New York’s DNA database –  to require people convicted of all felonies, as well as misdemeanors in the penal law – to submit DNA samples, and to call on the State Assembly to pass the legislation immediately.

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently voted for the largest expansion of the state’s DNA databank since it was created in 1994.  The legislation mirrors the DNA databank expansion plan proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in his recently introduced Executive Budget and would require those who are convicted in New York State of a felony and a misdemeanor under penal law to submit DNA samples to the authorities.