Sag Harbor - Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I-Sag Harbor) today notified the residents of his 2nd Assembly District of a new E-Alert law to allow New York residents to receive free automatic e-mail updates about Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders living in our communities. This new law takes effect on March 15.

"In the past, concerned citizens that did not receive specific notifications would have to continually check the sex offender registry for updates themselves," said Assemblyman Thiele. "This new law, which I supported, allows any New York State resident to sign up with the Division of Criminal Justice Services to receive automatic e-mail notifications when a registered sex offender moves into his or her neighborhood."

E-Alert is the latest in a series of laws that build on the Assembly's longstanding commitment to keeping New York's families safe, including:

 • The Luring Law (Chapter 405 of the Laws of 2008) – Creates the crime of luring a child into a motor vehicle, building or isolated area with the intent of committing any violent felony or felony sex offense. Luring a child is a Class E felony.

 • Revoking licenses of teachers guilty of sex crimes (Chapter 296 of the Laws of 2008) – Provides for the automatic revocation of a teaching license or certificate held by any teacher – including teaching assistants, school counselors, social workers, psychologists, school administrators, supervisors or superintendents of schools – convicted of a sex offense.

 • E-STOP (Chapter 67 of the Laws of 2008) - The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act prevents sexual abusers from victimizing children on Internet social networking sites by prohibiting sex offenders from using the Internet for inappropriate reasons.

 • Further strengthening Megan's Law (Chapter 106 of the Laws of 2006) - As part of the Assembly's continued commitment to improve and strengthen the Sex Offender Registration Act (Megan's Law) initially enacted in 1995, this law requires the Division of Criminal Justice Services to expand the sex offender Internet posting to include Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders.

"When sex offenders move into our neighborhoods, it can pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of our children. E-Alert is an innovative and invaluable tool that will help prevent further instances of sexual abuse. I was pleased to be a part of this successful effort that will make it easier for families to find out if sexual predators are residing in their community."

For more information on E-Alert and the state sex offender registry, contact Assemblyman Thiele's Bridgehampton office at 631-537-2583 or go to www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us.