COUTINHO BILL TO PROTECT NEW JERSEY CHILDREN NOW LAW

COUTINHO BILL TO PROTECT NEW JERSEY CHILDREN NOW LAW

Law Signed by Gov. Corzine Bars Sex Offenders from Youth Groups

(NEWARK) – Legislation Assemblyman Albert Coutinho sponsored to protect New Jersey children by prohibiting sex-offenders from serving in youth organizations was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

The law (A-1731) prohibits those who have been convicted, adjudicated delinquent or found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a range of sexual offenses from working or volunteering for youth sports teams and groups that provide recreational, educational, cultural, social, charitable and other activities to those under 18 years of age.

“This new law is, very simply, a common sense step toward further protecting our children,” said Coutinho (D-Essex). “Clearly, sex offenders shouldn’t be working closely with our children and teen-agers, and this new law will help ensure that stays the case.”

Coutinho runs a 1,200-member inner-city youth soccer program, the Ironbound Club.

Under the law, a violator will be guilty of a crime of the third degree, which carries a penalty of three to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000. A person who knowingly hires, engages or appoints an excluded sex offender to serve in a youth organization will be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree, which carries up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

“This new law is another weapon in our ever-continuing effort to protect children from sex offenders,” Coutinho said. “We know we must remain vigilant, but this is a step forward that sends a clear message not only to sex offenders, but to those who would knowingly put children at risk.”

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