Amid growing concerns over youth violence and school safety, New York State Senator Pam Helming is advocating for legislation that would mandate timely communication between state agencies, schools, and law enforcement regarding the release of convicted juvenile offenders.
Currently, state law does not permit schools or local authorities to be informed when a juvenile or adolescent offender convicted of a felony is released from an Office of Children and Family Services facility. On Friday, Helming, alongside school superintendents from her district and Ontario County law enforcement officials, will urge the Governor and state Legislature to pass her bill addressing this gap.
In one instance in the 54th Senate District, a 15-year-old student brought a loaded firearm to school, held a school principal hostage for several hours, and was subsequently convicted of multiple felonies, Helming wrote in her bill. He was sentenced to serve three to nine years in an OCFS facility. After serving roughly two and a half years in an OCFS facility, the student,
who was still a minor at the time, was released from OCFS custody back into the same community where he had committed his previous crime. Neither the school district nor local law enforcement were notified. They were only made aware of the situation when the student’s mother left the school a voicemail message requesting educational services for her son after he had been released. Thankfully, due to the efforts of the school superintendent, district personnel, and local law enforcement, a plan was quickly implemented to protect the school and community and prevent a potential tragedy.
“This lack of communication by OCFS and DOCCS is unacceptable,” said Sen. Helming. “Despite heightened concerns around youth violence and school safety, current state law does not allow our school districts and local law enforcement access to critical information which would help them keep our students, teachers, and communities safe.”
If enacted, the legislation would require the state to notify schools and police within 48 hours of a convicted juvenile offender’s release, ensuring they have the necessary information to enhance safety and preparedness.
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