Provides for disclosure of sexual offender information related to a patient or client.

---

S2593-2011 Actions

• Jun 5, 2012: referred to mental health
• Jun 5, 2012: DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
• Jun 5, 2012: PASSED SENATE
• May 15, 2012: ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
• May 14, 2012: 2ND REPORT CAL.
• May 9, 2012: 1ST REPORT CAL.738
• Jan 4, 2012: REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
• Jan 4, 2012: returned to senate
• Jan 4, 2012: died in assembly
• Jun 14, 2011: referred to correction
• Jun 14, 2011: DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
• Jun 14, 2011: PASSED SENATE
• Jun 13, 2011: ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
• Jun 7, 2011: 2ND REPORT CAL.
• Jun 6, 2011: 1ST REPORT CAL.1001
• Jan 26, 2011: REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

S2593-2011 Meetings

Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities: May 9, 2012, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities: Jun 6, 2011

S2593-2011 Calendars

Active List: Jun 5, 2012 , Active List: Jun 14, 2011 , Floor Calendar: May 14, 2012 , Floor Calendar: May 15, 2012 , Floor Calendar: May 16, 2012 , Floor Calendar: May 21, 2012 , Floor Calendar: May 22, 2012 , Floor Calendar: May 23, 2012 , Floor Calendar: May 30, 2012 , Floor Calendar: May 31, 2012 , Floor Calendar: Jun 4, 2012 , Floor Calendar: Jun 5, 2012 , Floor Calendar: Jun 7, 2011 , Floor Calendar: Jun 13, 2011 , Floor Calendar: Jun 14, 2011

S2593-2011 Votes

S2593-2011 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S2593

TITLE OF BILL:

An act
to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to disclosure of sexual
offender information related to a patient or client, and to amend
the correction law, in relation to inclusion of certain persons within
the provisions of the sex offender registration act who have had pleas
accepted, or who have had verdicts entered with respect to them, of not
responsible by reason of mental disease or defect

PURPOSE OF THE BILL:

(1) To amend the Mental Hygiene Law to authorize the Commissioners
of OMRDD and OMH to consent to a release of portions of client or
patient records containing information that is available pursuant to
Article 6-C of the Correction Law under certain circumstances.

(2) To amend the Correction Law to include persons who have had pleas
accepted, or who have had verdicts entered against them, of not
responsible by reason of mental disease or defect within the
provisions of the sex offender registration act where such plea or
verdict relates to a sex offense as defined in the provisions of the
sex offender registration act.

(3) To amend the Correction Law and the Mental Hygiene Law in relation
to ensuring that notification of change of address by a sex offender
occurs at or prior to the time that such offender is to be discharged
or released from a Department of Mental Hygiene facility.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

(1) Section one of this bill would authorize both the Commissioner
of OMRDD and the Commissioner of OMH to release certain portions of
client or patient clinical information related to the sex offender
status of individuals to other persons and entities when necessary to
ensure the safety and welfare of others. The release of such
information would be limited to sex offender registration information
that is available to the public pursuant to Article 6-C of the
Correction Law.

(2) Sections two, three and four of bill would amend provisions within
the "Sex Offender Registration Act" ("SORA") set forth in Article 6-C
of the Correction Law as follows:

(a) Section two amends subdivision 10f � 168-a of the Correction Law,
to include, within the definition of "sex offender", those persons
who have entered a plea, accepted by the court, or have had a verdict
rendered against them, of not responsible by reason of mental disease
or defect with respect to any of the offenses for which a convicted
person would be defined or otherwise labeled under SORA as a sex
offender.

(b) Section three of this bill would amend paragraph (c) of
subdivision 1 of � 168-b of the Correction Law to require the


Division of Criminal Justice Services to maintain information in the
SORA registry on those persons who have entered a plea, accepted by
the court, or have had a verdict rendered against them, of not
responsible by reason of mental disease or defect and who, by reason
of such plea or verdict, would be included within the definition of a
sex offender.
(c) Section four of this bill would amend � 168-d of the Correction Law
to create an additional duty of the court to certify, when applicable,
that a person is a sex offender in an order issued pursuant to the
provisions of Article 330 of the Criminal procedure Law. This section
is further amended so that the court carries out the same duties,
with respect to sex offenders who are subjected to orders issued
pursuant to the provisions of Article 330 of the Criminal Procedure
Law, as the court heretofore had carried out under this section for
persons who had been convicted of any of the offenses set forth in
subdivisions two or three of � 168-a of the Correction Law.

(3) Sections 5, 6 and 7 of this proposal will amend the provisions of
�29.16 of the Mental Hygiene Law which currently relates to the
discharge of patients from a department facility.
Under this proposal, the director of a department facility, prior to
the discharge or release, including a court ordered release, of a
patient who is a registered sex offender pursuant to Article 6-C of
the Correction Law (SORA), will contact the Division of Criminal
Justice Services to determine whether or not such patient has
registered a proposed change of address pursuant to � 168-f(4)of
the Correction Law. In the event that the director of a department of
facility finds that the resident sex offender has not filed a
proposed change of address in accordance with the registration
requirement of the correction law, the director would be authorized
to delay the implementation of the discharge or release, including a
court order release, of such resident for a period of up to 10 days
or until the date that such person complies with the registration
requirements of the applicable provisions of SORA, whichever occurs
first.

This proposal will also amend the provisions of �29.17 of the Mental
Hygiene Law to provide such patient wit h the fee amount that is
charged under SORA to register a change of address.
Finally, the provisions of � 168-b(2) of the Correction Law would be
amended to authorize the Division of Criminal Justice Services to
release SORA registry information directly to the commissioner of
mental retardation or the commissioner of mental health.

EXISTING LAW:

(1) Section one of this bill would add a new paragraph to subdivision
(c) of �33.13 of the Mental Hygiene Law.

(2) Article 6-C of the Correction Law provides for the registration of
sex offender who have been convicted of sex offenses which are listed
in subdivisions two or three of � 168-a of the Correction Law.
However, there is currently no statutory registration requirements
for, or sex offender designations of, individuals who have entered a
plea accepted by the court or have had a verdict rendered against them,
of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect with
respect to any of the sex offenses set forth in such section of the


correction law. Section two, three and four of this bill would amend
three separate provisions of such Article 6-C which would provide for
the foregoing requirements.

(3) Sections 29.16 and 29.17 of the Mental Hygiene Law currently
address issues relative to the discharge or release of individuals
who are residents of Department of Mental Hygiene facilities.
Section 168-b(2) of the Correction Law, in part, provides authority to
the Division of Criminal Justice Services to release SORA registry
information to specified entities. Sections five, six and seven of
this bill will provide additional notification provisions and
information sharing.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Sections one, two, three and four of this bill were introduced as
S.4835 during the 2003-2004 legislative session. Sections five, six
and seven of this bill would constitute new proposed amendments to
the Mental Hygiene Law and the Correction Law. In the 2007-2008
legislative session the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on
Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT:

(1) With respect to section one of this proposal, the provisions of
Article 6-C of the Correction Law which constitutes the Sex Offender
Registration Act, or "SORA", was enacted into law in response to
public outcry over repeat sex crimes committed by persons having a
history of such crimes while residing anonymously in a community.
SORA provides for the registration of all sex offenders who are
convicted of certain sex crimes, most of which involve offenses with
children. Under SORA, these offenders are required to register with
the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) and are given a
designation of one of three levels, depending upon the seriousness of
the crime for which they had been convicted and other evaluation
factors. DCJS provides information on all levels of sex offenders to
local law enforcement agencies. In turn, these agencies are allowed
to release information on these offenders to the public, in
accordance with, and subject to the restrictions and limitations set
forth in, the provisions of SORA.
OMRDD obtains registrant information that may relate to its consumers
from the NYS Division of State Police.

Mental Hygiene Law �33.13 prohibits the disclosure of clinical
information, including any information that identifies an individual
as receiving services funded by OMRDD, except in situations
enumerated in the law. When OMRDD obtains registrant information
concerning clients, disclosure of that information is limited by
�33.13 of the Mental Hygiene Law. Absent the consent of the consumer
with the sex offender designation or a finding of serious and
imminent danger to others, such information cannot be disclosed to
staff who have no supervisory responsibilities for the individual,
other consumers, their family members, or to other regular visitors.

In the interest of safety to other patients and clients, staff and
others who may need to know this sex offender information, the
Commissioners of OMRDD and OMH will be authorized to release to them


the same information available under article 6-C of the Correction
Law from the records of a patient or client.

(2) With respect to sections two, three and four of this bill, the
provisions of SORA, set forth in Article 6-C of the Correction Law,
require that persons who have been convicted of certain sex offenses
to register with DCJS as sex offenders and that DCJS is required to
maintain a sex offender registry with specific information concerning
convicted sex offenders. However, persons, who have been charged with
a sex offense as set forth in SORA and who, with respect to such
charges, have entered a plea, accepted by the court, or have had a
verdict rendered against them, of not responsible by reason of mental
disease or defect, do not fall within the definition of a sex
offender and are not required to register with DCJS as a sex offender.
Although such individuals have not technically been convicted of a
designated sex offense, they arguably continue to pose the same
threat to other persons within this state that convicted sex
offenders pose to the citizens of this state. Since there doesn't
appear to be any constitutional or policy reasons that would prevent
these individuals from being subjected to the requirements of SORA,
these individuals should be required to register and be subjected to
the same provisions of SORA as if they had been convicted of the same
sex offenses.

(3) Currently under the provisions of � 168-f of the Correction Law, a
registered sex offender is required to register with DCJS no later
than ten calendar days after any change of address or any change of
his or her status of enrollment, attendance, employment or residence
at any institution of higher education. These same provisions apply
to registered sex offender's who are residents of a Department of
Mental Hygiene facility and who are subsequently discharged or
released from such facility. Residents of department facilities,
however, undergo a discharge planning process that makes it likely
that the intended new address of a facility resident is known at or
prior to the time of their discharge or release. In the interest of
public safety, this information should be conveyed to DCJS as soon as
possible at or prior to the discharge or release of such residents.
Sections five, six and seven of this bill will ensure that registered
sex offender have properly notified DCJS of their intended new
address at or prior to the time that they are discharged or released
from the care and custody of the Department of Mental Hygiene.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

Unknown at this time.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2005: S.5624  - Passed Senate
2006: S.5624A - Senate Mental Health & Developmental
Disabilities Committee.
2007-08: S.3327 - Senate Mental Health & Developmental
Disabilities Committee
2009-10: S.4176 - Reported and Committed to Codes

EFFECTIVE DATE:


This bill would take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day after
it shall have become law.

S2593-2011 Text

                      S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
  ________________________________________________________________________

                                    2593

                         2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                              I N  SENATE

                              January 26, 2011
                                 ___________

  Introduced  by Sen. FLANAGAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
    printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health and Develop-
    mental Disabilities

  AN ACT to amend the mental hygiene law, in  relation  to  disclosure  of
    sexual  offender  information  related  to a patient or client, and to
    amend the correction law, in relation to inclusion of certain  persons
    within  the  provisions  of the sex offender registration act who have
    had pleas accepted, or who have had verdicts entered with  respect  to
    them, of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect

    THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
  BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


    Section 1. Paragraph 9 of subdivision (c)  of  section  33.13  of  the
  mental  hygiene law is amended by adding a new subparagraph (ix) to read
  as follows:

    (IX) APPROPRIATE PERSONS AND ENTITIES PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX-C OF THE
  CORRECTION LAW, WHEN DISCLOSURE IS LIMITED TO SEXUAL OFFENDER  REGISTRA-
  TION INFORMATION NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE WELFARE AND SAFETY OF OTHERS.
    S 2. Subdivision 1 of section 168-a of the correction law, as added by
  chapter 192 of the laws of 1995, is amended to read as follows:

    1.  "Sex  offender" includes any person who is convicted of any of the
  offenses set  forth  in  subdivision  two  or  three  of  this  section.
  Convictions  that  result  from  or  are connected with the same act, or
  result from offenses committed at the same time, shall  be  counted  for
  the  purpose of this article as one conviction. Any conviction set aside
  pursuant to law is not a conviction for purposes of  this  article.  FOR
  PURPOSES  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  THE TERM "SEX OFFENDER" SHALL BE DEEMED TO
  INCLUDE A PERSON WHO HAS HAD A CRIMINAL ACTION COMMENCED AGAINST THEM BY
  THE FILING OF AN ACCUSATORY INSTRUMENT, A SUPERIOR COURT INFORMATION, OR
  INDICTMENT WHICH INCLUDES A CHARGE FOR THE  COMMISSION  OF  ANY  OF  THE
  OFFENSES SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION TWO OR THREE OF THIS SECTION AND, WITH
  RESPECT  TO  SUCH  OFFENSE  OR  OFFENSES,  HAS  ENTERED A PLEA, WHICH IS

   EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                        [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                             LBD08456-01-1

 S. 2593                             2

  ACCEPTED, OR HAS HAD A VERDICT  ENTERED  AGAINST  SUCH  PERSON,  OF  NOT
  RESPONSIBLE  BY  REASON  OF  MENTAL DISEASE OR DEFECT.  ANY SUCH PLEA OR
  VERDICT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OFFENSE OR OFFENSES SHALL BE  CONSIDERED  A
  CONVICTION  OF ALL OF THE OFFENSES SO CHARGED, OR THAT REMAIN AS CHARGED
  OR OTHERWISE EXIST AT THE TIME OF THE ENTRY OF SUCH PLEA OR VERDICT,  AS
  MAY  BE  APPLICABLE,  THAT  FALL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF SEX OFFENSE OR
  SEXUALLY VIOLENT OFFENSE AS SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION  TWO  OR  THREE  OF
  THIS  SECTION  AND  SHALL  BE  DEEMED  TO  BE A CONVICTION FOR ALL OTHER
  PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE.
    S 3. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 1 of section 168-b of the correction
  law, as amended by chapter 11 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as
  follows:

    (c) A description of the  offense  for  which  the  sex  offender  was
  convicted, the date of conviction and the sentence imposed. IN THE EVENT
  THAT SUCH CONVICTION IS DEEMED TO EXIST FROM THE ENTRY AND ACCEPTANCE OF
  A  PLEA,  OR  THE  ENTRY  OF  A VERDICT, OF NOT RESPONSIBLE BY REASON OF
  MENTAL DISEASE OR DEFECT AS DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION  ONE
  HUNDRED  SIXTY-EIGHT-A  OF THIS ARTICLE, THE DATE OF CONVICTION SHALL BE
  DEEMED TO BE THE DATE THE PLEA WAS ACCEPTED BY THE COURT, OR THE DATE  A
  VERDICT  WAS  ENTERED, OF NOT RESPONSIBLE BY REASON OF MENTAL DISEASE OR
  DEFECT. IN LIEU OF  A  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  SENTENCE  IMPOSED  WHERE  A
  CONVICTION IS DEEMED TO EXIST AS A RESULT OF SUCH PLEA OR VERDICT, THERE
  SHALL  BE  ENTERED  A  DESCRIPTION OF ALL PROCEEDINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED
  PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CRIMI-
  NAL PROCEDURE LAW.
    S 4. Section 168-d of the correction law, as amended by chapter 11  of
  the  laws  of 2002, paragraph (a) of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter
  69 of the laws of 2003, paragraph (b) of subdivision  1  as  amended  by
  chapter  74 of the laws of 2007, and subdivision 2 as amended and subdi-
  vision 4 as added by chapter 684 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read
  as follows:

    S 168-d. Duties of the court. 1. (a) Except as provided in  paragraphs
  (b)  and (c) of this subdivision, upon conviction of any of the offenses
  set forth in subdivision two or three  of  section  one  hundred  sixty-
  eight-a of this article the court shall certify that the person is a sex
  offender and shall include the certification in the order of commitment,
  if any, and judgment of conviction OR IN AN ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE
  PROVISIONS  OF  ARTICLE  THREE  HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
  LAW, except as provided in paragraph (e) of subdivision two  of  section
  one  hundred  sixty-eight-a of this article. The court shall also advise
  the sex offender of his or her duties under  this  article.  Failure  to
  include  the certification in the order of commitment [or], the judgment
  of conviction, OR IN AN ORDER ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTI-
  CLE THREE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW shall not relieve
  a sex offender of the obligations imposed by this article.
    (b) Where a defendant stands convicted of an offense defined in  para-
  graph  (b)  of  subdivision  two of section one hundred sixty-eight-a of
  this article or where the defendant was convicted of patronizing a pros-
  titute in the third degree under section 230.04 of the penal law and the
  defendant controverts an allegation that the victim of such offense  was
  less  than  eighteen  years of age or, in the case of a conviction under
  section 230.04 of the penal law, less than seventeen years of  age,  the
  court,  without  a  jury, shall, prior to sentencing OR ISSUING AN ORDER
  PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CRIMI-
  NAL PROCEDURE LAW, conduct a hearing, and the people may prove by  clear
  and  convincing evidence that the victim was less than eighteen years of

 S. 2593                             3

  age or less than seventeen years of age, as applicable, by any  evidence
  admissible  under the rules applicable to a trial of the issue of guilt.
  The court in addition to such  admissible  evidence  may  also  consider
  reliable  hearsay evidence submitted by either party provided that it is
  relevant to the determination of the age of the victim. Facts concerning
  the age of the victim proven at trial or  ascertained  at  the  time  of
  entry  of  a  plea  of guilty, OR FACTS CONCERNING THE AGE OF THE VICTIM
  ASCERTAINED AT THE TIME A PLEA IS ENTERED,  WHICH  IS  ACCEPTED  BY  THE
  COURT,  OR  AT  A TRIAL WHERE VERDICT IS ENTERED AGAINST SUCH PERSON, OF
  NOT RESPONSIBLE BY REASON OF MENTAL DISEASE OR DEFECT, shall  be  deemed
  established  by  clear  and convincing evidence and shall not be reliti-
  gated. At the conclusion of the hearing, or if the  defendant  does  not
  controvert  an  allegation  that the victim of the offense was less than
  eighteen years of age or less than seventeen years of age,  as  applica-
  ble,  the court must make a finding and enter an order setting forth the
  age of the victim. If the court finds that the victim  of  such  offense
  was  under  eighteen  years  of  age or under seventeen years of age, as
  applicable, the court shall certify the defendant as a sex offender, the
  provisions of paragraph (a) of this  subdivision  shall  apply  and  the
  defendant  shall  register  with  the  division  in  accordance with the
  provisions of this article.
    (c) Where a defendant stands convicted of an offense defined in  para-
  graph  (c)  of  subdivision  two of section one hundred sixty-eight-a of
  this article and  the  defendant  controverts  an  allegation  that  the
  defendant  was  previously  convicted  of  a  sex  offense or a sexually
  violent offense defined in this article or has previously been convicted
  of or convicted for an attempt  to  commit  any  of  the  provisions  of
  section  130.52  or  130.55 of the penal law, the court, without a jury,
  shall,  prior  to  sentencing  OR  ISSUING  AN  ORDER  PURSUANT  TO  THE
  PROVISIONS  OF  ARTICLE  THREE  HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
  LAW, conduct a hearing, and the people may prove by clear and convincing
  evidence that the defendant was previously convicted of a sex offense or
  a sexually violent offense defined in this  article  or  has  previously
  been  convicted  of  or  convicted  for  an attempt to commit any of the
  provisions of section 130.52 or 130.55 of the penal law, by any evidence
  admissible under the rules applicable to a trial of the issue of  guilt.
  The  court  in  addition  to  such admissible evidence may also consider
  reliable hearsay evidence submitted by either party provided that it  is
  relevant  to  the  determination of whether the defendant was previously
  convicted of a sex offense or a sexually violent offense defined in this
  article or has previously been convicted of or convicted for an  attempt
  to commit any of the provisions of section 130.52 or 130.55 of the penal
  law.  At  the  conclusion  of  the hearing, or if the defendant does not
  controvert an allegation that the defendant was previously convicted  of
  a  sex  offense or a sexually violent offense defined in this article or
  has previously been convicted of or convicted for an attempt  to  commit
  any  of the provisions of section 130.52 or 130.55 of the penal law, the
  court must make a finding and enter an  order  determining  whether  the
  defendant  was  previously  convicted  of  a  sex  offense or a sexually
  violent offense defined in this article or has previously been convicted
  of or convicted for an attempt  to  commit  any  of  the  provisions  of
  section  130.52  or 130.55 of the penal law. If the court finds that the
  defendant has such a previous conviction, the court  shall  certify  the
  defendant  as  a  sex  offender, the provisions of paragraph (a) of this
  subdivision shall apply and the defendant shall register with the  divi-
  sion in accordance with the provisions of this article.

 S. 2593                             4

    2.  Any  sex offender, who is released on probation or discharged upon
  payment of a fine, conditional discharge or unconditional  discharge  OR
  IS  RELEASED  OR  DISCHARGED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE THREE
  HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE  CRIMINAL  PROCEDURE  LAW  shall,  prior  to  such
  release  or  discharge, be informed of his or her duty to register under
  this article by the court in which he or she was  convicted  OR  BY  THE
  COURT  ISSUING  AN  ORDER  PURSUANT  TO  THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE THREE
  HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW.  At the time  sentence  is
  imposed  OR  AT  THE TIME THAT THE COURT ISSUES AN ORDER PURSUANT TO THE
  PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED THIRTY  OF  THE  CRIMINAL  PROCEDURE
  LAW,  such  sex  offender  shall  register  with  the division on a form
  prepared by the division. The court shall require the  sex  offender  to
  read and sign such form and to complete the registration portion of such
  form.  The  court  shall  on  such form obtain the address where the sex
  offender expects to reside upon his or her release,  and  the  name  and
  address  of  any institution of higher education he or she expects to be
  employed by, enrolled in, attending or  employed,  whether  for  compen-
  sation  or  not,  and  whether he or she expects to reside in a facility
  owned or operated by such an institution, AND, IF APPLICABLE, A COPY  OF
  THE ORDER ISSUED, AND DESCRIPTION OF ALL PROCEEDINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED,
  PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED THIRTY OF THE CRIMI-
  NAL PROCEDURE LAW and shall report such information to the division. The
  court shall give one copy of the form to the sex offender and shall send
  two  copies  to  the division which shall forward the information to the
  law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction. The court shall also noti-
  fy the district attorney and the sex offender of the date of the  deter-
  mination  proceeding  to  be  held pursuant to subdivision three of this
  section, which shall be held at least forty-five days after such  notice
  is  given.  This  notice  shall  include  the  following  statement or a
  substantially similar statement:  "This  proceeding  is  being  held  to
  determine  whether you will be classified as a level 3 offender (risk of
  repeat offense is high), a level 2 offender (risk of repeat  offense  is
  moderate),  or  a  level  1 offender (risk of repeat offense is low), or
  whether you will be designated as a sexual predator, a sexually  violent
  offender  or a predicate sex offender, which will determine how long you
  must register as a sex offender and how much information can be provided
  to the public concerning your registration. If you  fail  to  appear  at
  this  proceeding,  without  sufficient  excuse, it shall be held in your
  absence. Failure to appear may result in a longer period of registration
  or a higher level of community notification because you are not  present
  to offer evidence or contest evidence offered by the district attorney."
  The  court shall also advise the sex offender that he or she has a right
  to a hearing prior to the court's determination, that he or she has  the
  right  to be represented by counsel at the hearing and that counsel will
  be appointed if he or she is financially unable to  retain  counsel.  If
  the  sex  offender applies for assignment of counsel to represent him or
  her at the hearing and counsel was not previously assigned to  represent
  the  sex  offender  in  the  underlying criminal action, the court shall
  determine whether the offender is financially unable to retain  counsel.
  If  such  a finding is made, the court shall assign counsel to represent
  the sex offender pursuant to article eighteen-B of the county law. Where
  the court orders a sex offender released on probation, such  order  must
  include  a  provision  requiring that he or she comply with the require-
  ments of this article. Where such sex offender violates such  provision,
  probation  may  be immediately revoked in the manner provided by article
  four hundred ten of the criminal procedure law.

 S. 2593                             5

    3. For sex offenders released on probation or discharged upon  payment
  of a fine, conditional discharge or unconditional discharge, OR RELEASED
  OR DISCHARGED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED THIRTY
  OF  THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE LAW, it shall be the duty of the court apply-
  ing  the  guidelines  established  in  subdivision  five  of section one
  hundred sixty-eight-l of this article to determine the level of  notifi-
  cation  pursuant to subdivision six of section one hundred sixty-eight-l
  of this article and whether such sex  offender  shall  be  designated  a
  sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender as
  defined  in  subdivision  seven  of section one hundred sixty-eight-a of
  this article. At least fifteen days prior to the determination  proceed-
  ing, the district attorney shall provide to the court and the sex offen-
  der  a  written statement setting forth the determinations sought by the
  district attorney together with the reasons for  seeking  such  determi-
  nations.  The court shall allow the sex offender to appear and be heard.
  The state shall appear by the district attorney, or his or her designee,
  who shall bear the burden of proving the facts supporting  the  determi-
  nations  sought  by  clear  and  convincing evidence.   Where there is a
  dispute between the parties concerning  the  determinations,  the  court
  shall adjourn the hearing as necessary to permit the sex offender or the
  district  attorney  to  obtain  materials relevant to the determinations
  from any state or local facility, hospital, institution, office, agency,
  department or division. Such materials may be obtained  by  subpoena  if
  not voluntarily provided to the requesting party. In making the determi-
  nations,  the court shall review any victim's statement and any relevant
  materials and evidence submitted by the sex offender  and  the  district
  attorney  and the court may consider reliable hearsay evidence submitted
  by either party provided that it  is  relevant  to  the  determinations.
  Facts  previously  proven at trial or elicited at the time of entry of a
  plea of guilty OR PREVIOUSLY ELICITED AT THE TIME  A  PLEA  IS  ENTERED,
  WHICH IS ACCEPTED BY THE COURT, OR ARE PROVEN AT A TRIAL WHERE A VERDICT
  HAS  BEEN  ENTERED,  OF  NOT  RESPONSIBLE BY REASON OF MENTAL DISEASE OR
  DEFECT shall be deemed established by clear and convincing evidence  and
  shall  not be relitigated. The court shall render an order setting forth
  its determinations and the findings of fact and conclusions  of  law  on
  which the determinations are based. A copy of the order shall be submit-
  ted  by the court to the division. Upon application of either party, the
  court shall seal any portion of the court file or record which  contains
  material that is confidential under any state or federal statute. Either
  party  may  appeal as of right from the order pursuant to the provisions
  of articles fifty-five, fifty-six and fifty-seven of the civil  practice
  law  and  rules.  Where  counsel  has been assigned to represent the sex
  offender upon the ground that the sex offender is financially unable  to
  retain  counsel,  that  assignment  shall  be  continued  throughout the
  pendency of the appeal, and the person  may  appeal  as  a  poor  person
  pursuant to article eighteen-B of the county law.
    4. If a sex offender, having been given notice, including the time and
  place  of  the determination proceeding in accordance with this section,
  fails to appear at this proceeding, without sufficient excuse, the court
  shall conduct the hearing and make the determinations in the manner  set
  forth in subdivision three of this section.
    S  5.  Section  29.16 of the mental hygiene law, as amended by chapter
  465 of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:

  S 29.16 Discharge OR RELEASE; certain cases.
    (A) The director of a facility shall,  with  respect  to  any  patient
  admitted  to  such facility pursuant to section five hundred nine of the

 S. 2593                             6

  executive law or 353.4 of the family  court  act  and  article  nine  or
  fifteen  of this chapter, give immediate written notice to the [director
  of the division for youth] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES and to
  the mental hygiene legal service when any such patient leaves the facil-
  ity  without  the  consent  of  its  director. Such patient shall not be
  discharged so long as there is a valid order of the family court placing
  such person with the [division for youth] OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND  FAMILY
  SERVICES,  except  in  accordance  with  the  provisions of section five
  hundred nine of the executive law or section 353.4 of the  family  court
  act.
    (B)  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  PROVISIONS OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, PRIOR TO
  THE DISCHARGE OR RELEASE, INCLUDING A  COURT  ORDERED  RELEASE,  FROM  A
  DEPARTMENT  FACILITY  OF  A  PATIENT  WHO  IS A SEX OFFENDER REQUIRED TO
  REGISTER PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SIX-C OF THE CORRECTION LAW,  THE  DIRECTOR
  OF  A  FACILITY  SHALL CONTACT THE DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES
  (HEREIN THE "DIVISION") TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR  NOT  SUCH  PATIENT  HAS
  REGISTERED A CHANGE OF ADDRESS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION
  FOUR  OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT-F OF THE CORRECTION LAW. IN THE
  EVENT THAT THE DIRECTOR DETERMINES  THAT  SUCH  PATIENT  HAS  FAILED  TO
  PROVIDE  THE  DIVISION  WITH THE NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS WHICH
  WILL PROVIDE THE DIVISION WITH THE PATIENT'S INTENDED NEW ADDRESS  WHICH
  WILL TAKE EFFECT UPON SUCH DISCHARGE OR RELEASE, THE DIRECTOR IMMEDIATE-
  LY  SHALL NOTIFY THE PATIENT AND THE MENTAL HYGIENE LEGAL SERVICE OF THE
  REQUIREMENTS OF  REGISTERING  A  CHANGE  OF  ADDRESS  PURSUANT  TO  SUCH
  PROVISIONS  OF  THE  CORRECTION  LAW.  NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF
  SECTION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT-F OF THE CORRECTION LAW, THE DIRECTOR OF
  A FACILITY IS AUTHORIZED TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISCHARGE OR
  RELEASE, INCLUDING A COURT ORDERED RELEASE, OF SUCH PATIENT FOR A PERIOD
  OF UP TO TEN DAYS OR UNTIL THE DATE THAT SUCH PATIENT COMPLIES WITH  THE
  REGISTRATION  REQUIREMENTS  OF  SUCH  PROVISIONS  OF THE CORRECTION LAW,
  WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
    S 6. Section 29.17 of the mental hygiene law is  amended  to  read  as
  follows:

  S 29.17 Clothing  and  money  to  be  furnished  patients  discharged or
            released.
    No patient shall be discharged or released from a department  facility
  without  suitable  clothing  adapted to the season in which he OR SHE is
  discharged or released; and if it  cannot  be  otherwise  obtained,  the
  facility  shall  upon the order of the director, or of the commissioner,
  as the case may be, furnish the same,  and  money  not  exceeding  fifty
  dollars,  to defray his OR HER expenses until he OR SHE can reach his OR
  HER relatives or friends, or find employment to earn a subsistence.  THE
  FACILITY, UPON THE ORDER OF THE DIRECTOR, OR OF THE COMMISSIONER, AS THE
  CASE  MAY  BE,  SHALL  FURNISH  A  PATIENT, WHO IS A SEX OFFENDER AND IS
  REQUIRED TO REGISTER A CHANGE OF ADDRESS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FOUR OF
  SECTION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT-F OF THE CORRECTION LAW, WITH MONEY,  IN
  AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE STATUTORY AMOUNT CHARGED BY THE DIVISION OF CRIM-
  INAL  JUSTICE  SERVICES  TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSE OF REGISTERING HIS OR HER
  CHANGE OF ADDRESS WITH THE DIVISION, AT OR PRIOR TO  THE  DATE  OF  SUCH
  DISCHARGE OR RELEASE.
    S  7.  Paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 168-b of the correction
  law, as amended by chapter 645 of the laws of 2005, is amended  to  read
  as follows:

    a.  The  division  is authorized to make the registry available to any
  regional or national registry of sex offenders for the purpose of  shar-
  ing  information  OR TO THE COMMISSIONER OF MENTAL HEALTH OR THE COMMIS-

 S. 2593                             7

  SIONER OF MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.  The  divi-
  sion  shall  accept  files from any regional or national registry of sex
  offenders and shall make such files available when requested pursuant to
  the provisions of this article.
    S 8. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
  it shall have become a law.