New York State Adopts e-STOP Law
On May 14, 2008, the governor of New York-David A. Paterson- announced he signed the Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act (e-STOP) sponsored by Senator Dean Skelos (S06875) and Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (A09859) . This new law: (1) requires convicted sex offenders to register their internet screen names with the Sex Offender Registry; (2) allows social networking web-sites -like Face Book and My Space- to obtain those screen names in order to prohibit those account holders from entering web-sites on which they could contact children; and (3) prohibits convicted sex offenders who are on probation, conditional discharge or parole from using the internet to contact children. A person listed on the Sex Offender Registry who fails to register any Internet or email account used for the purpose of online chatting, instant messaging or social networking or fails to timely notify the state that they have changed their e-mail address or created a new on-line profile is guilty of a felony. The new law applies to all past and future individuals listed on the Sex Offender Registry and takes effect immediately.
