According to County Legislators Lester Goodermote and Stan Brownell the Rensselaer County Legislature has collected nearly 600 signatures in support of efforts to change sex offender laws in Vermont and will be submitting the signatures to Vermont Lt. Governor Brian Dubie this weekend.
The collection of the signatures follows a resolution that was adopted by the County Legislature calling for a strengthening of sex offender laws in Vermont. The resolution came after the killing of a young girl in Vermont and the attempted abduction of two young girls by a Vermont man in Hoosick Falls.
“We were able to collect a significant number of signatures from New York State and Rensselaer County residents who recognize the need to strengthen sex offender laws in Vermont. We believe this will help efforts to enact tougher and more effective laws,” said Goodermote.
The signatures were collected during the month of August on the petition, which is titled: “Help Make Vermont Safer For Our Children Now!” The petition supports legislation introduced by Dubie to strengthen sex offender laws in Vermont, including longer sentences for repeat offenders, civil confinement, new policies for monitoring of sex offenders and tougher requirements for parole of offenders.
Goodermote and Brownell noted that some of the proposals by Lt. Gov. Dubie mirror legislation enacted in New York State to protect children and families from sex offenders.
“A significant portion of Rensselaer County borders Vermont. It makes sense for both New York and Vermont to have laws and restrictions that are compatible because that kind of an approach strengthens the defense against sex offenders,” said Brownell.
Goodermote and Brownell said they expect to meet personally with Vermont state officials to discuss joint efforts to improve the safety of children and families and enacting the legislation proposed by Lt. Gov. Dubie.