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Bill Also Requires Notification To Law Enforcement
Tuesday, June 13, 2000
The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Dean Skelos (R, Rockville Centre) that requires notification to victims, law enforcement officials and the general public when a violent felon or a sexual predator seeks to change his identity.
The measure was prompted by a recent case in Rochester concerning a name-change petition filed by the murderer of 4-year-old Kali Ann Poulton. Mark Christie abducted and strangled the little girl in 1994, and last year while serving his prison sentence, attempted to legally change his name. The victim's mother only learned of the prisoner's attempt to change names by coincidence.
"We cannot allow violent felons and sexual predators to change identities to hide their past from concerned citizens," said Senator Skelos. "This is particularly important when it comes to circumventing Megan's Law because of the high rate of recidivism among these offenders and the importance of protecting our children."
Senator Skelos' bill, S.6153A, would allow all victims to voice their objections when a person convicted of a violent felony or a sex crime files a petition to change names. Notification would also be given to prosecutors and the sentencing court. The legislation would require the publication of the name change petition in a designated newspaper.
Name change petitions would also be sent to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, to ensure the names of individuals who are mandated to register as sex offenders are correctly named in the Megan's Law Sex Offender Registry.
"Violent criminals, murderers, rapists and other sex offenders should not be able to mask their conviction records behind new names," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said. "This bill will help make victims feel more safe and allow community members to make informed decisions relating to the safety of their families."
The bill was sent to the Assembly.
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