NY: New Bill criminalizes registrants dressing as characters.
It’s not necessarily a bad idea, we just have to wonder how necessary this new law will be.
A New York Legislator has sponsored a bill that provides “No sex offender shall apply for or accept a position which involves substantial contact with children while said person is dressed as a children’s character.” and that anyone who employs a person to dress as a character would have to perform a background check on the person.
As a general concept, it’s not terribly concerning since anyone who has a history that includes any crime involving children should probably not work as a mall Santa. However, we need to question the necessity of this law and what unintended consequences it might have.
For instance; has there been a problem in New York with Santas or Easter Bunnies assaulting children or is this bill something that a legislator is putting out there to “look tough on crime” in order to win votes? Also, with the overwhelming majority of sexual crimes being committed by first-time offenders, won’t it give parents a false sense of security when allowing their children to interact with characters, since it’s more likely they will be assaulted by someone NOT on the registry?
And also what unintended consequences can come of this? The Bill doesn’t just preclude paid employment, but volunteering as well in any situation “that would present a substantial contact with children while dressed as a children’s character”. Wouldn’t that preclude dressing up on Halloween, or being Santa for one’s own children? How many people will get caught in this net for completely innocent activities that would not be illegal but for the person’s presence on the registry.
The bill also imposes criminal liability on the business that brings in the employee or volunteer who does not perform a background check on them. That might be doable for a mall, but what about a small non-profit? They might forego bringing in character for the children, rather than incur the expense and criminal liability.
Do we need another law like this on the books?
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The way teachers and coaches are being arrested lately I can’t see why anyone would want to work around kids now .even when they find that it was untrue in some cases it still has ruined the persons reputation for life.
I didn’t know Lauren Book also served in the New York state legislature.
The problem with background checks is that they are not really concerned with a person’s background but only with the ‘dirt’ that might be in someone’s background. The failure in my life is way over shadowed by my positive accomplishments, but the background check is only concerned with the ‘dirt’. Truth be known…and I don’t say this to brag…but I dare say I probably have more positive accomplishments in my life than 90% of the politicians or law enforcement officers. Ever so often the ‘dirt’ in their lives comes out. I call these checks ‘dirtground checks’…after all, that’s all they are worth.
It’s unfortunate that we have regressed to relying on background checks. They only give people a false sense of security. Not too many years ago, background checks were reserved for people that were applying for a job with the FBI, CIA, or some high security position. Now, you have background checks for garbage collectors!
It is very unfortunate that our society focuses on someone’s past mistakes instead of achievements. I feel for the Captain, that because if one mistake, he, like the rest of us that are registered citizens are prevented from participating in most aspects of our society. I am sure Capt. Munsey has a lot to offer, and has many years of experience, and specialized Naval training that would be a tremendous asset to any company. But, because of his background, he is very limited as to what he can do. We are losing a lot of good men because of this witch hunt.
Hopefully someday before we leave this planet, cooler heads will prevail and start to rescind a lot of these draconian, unconstitutional laws!
“It’s not necessarily a bad idea…”
IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA!!!!
Background checks, background checks, background checks UGH!!! That never stopped a person with no criminal record from committing their first crime. People are so gullible. Anyone who believes this law would do any good are the same folks who fall for the phone scam that the IRS has a warrant out on them and they need to go buy a “gift card” from Walmart and give the phone operator the PIN number.
Amen Amen amen what amazing person you’re for sure saying this topic cause our humans lawmaker think 🤔 it’s really bad peoples are doing those criminals Activities
You knew the answers before you asked the questions. This is nothing more than a solution that probably will not solve a problem that does not exist.