NEW YORK (WKBW) — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday legislation has been introduced to prevent sexual predators from exploiting children on the internet.
The legislation is Cuomo's 11th proposal of his 2020 State of the State agenda and builds on New York State's e-STOP law which passed in 2008.
The new legislation would require all sex offenders disclose their screen name for each social media account or dating/gaming app they are on to the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
As of now they are only required to provide the email address used for the account.
The DCJS would then send the information to any provider that the offender discloses and it would be reviewed.
It would also become a crime for a convicted sex offender to misrepresent themselves online.
"Protecting New York's children is our top priority and we cannot let technological advances become entryways that allow dangerous online predators to identify and prey on new victims," said Governor Cuomo. "Our laws must keep pace with the world around us and with this measure we will help safeguard those using these web sites and apps, and stop those who seek to harm and exploit our children once and for all."
