NYS Sex Offender Registry Search Procedures for Children's Camps

Fact Sheet – March 2013

Section 7-2.5(l) of the New York State Sanitary Code and Article 13-B of the Public Health Law requires children's camp operators to determine whether an employee or volunteer at the camp is listed on the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Sex Offender Registry. Checks of the Registry must be completed prior to the day the employee or volunteer starts work at the camp and annually thereafter prior to their arrival at camp. The law applies to all children's camps (day, traveling day and overnight) and to all prospective employees and volunteers at the camp regardless of their job title/responsibilities or employment status (full or part time).

How to Conduct a Search

A search of the Sex Offender Registry is a free and simple service provided by DCJS. Search requests may be submitted by email, CD, fax, regular mail, and telephone depending upon the number of individuals requested to be checked against the Registry. Procedures for submitting search requests are available from DCJS.

Please note that at this time, the feature on the DCJS website for conducting a web based search of the Registry does not satisfy the requirement for camps because the web based search only identifies Risk Level 2 and 3 offenders.

DCJS Response

The DCJS prefers responding to requests to search the Registry by fax; however, they will respond by regular mail if a fax number is not available/provided. DCJS's response will indicate the total number of individuals checked against the Registry and either the names of the individuals listed on the Registry and their risk level, or that no matches were found. The list of employees/volunteers submitted to be searched will not be returned by DCJS unless specifically requested by the camp operator with the initial search request submittal. Results of search requests made by telephone will be provided during the phone call.

  • Risk Levels

    Sex offenders are classified according to their risk of re-offending. The court may assign one of the following three risk levels:

    • Level 1 – low risk of repeat offense;
    • Level 2 – moderate risk of repeat offense; or
    • Level 3 – high risk of repeat offense.

    Note – While waiting a risk level assignment from the court, an individual is categorized as "Pending."

Documentation

A copy of prospective employee's or volunteer's information submitted to DCJS and letter from DCJS indicating the search results must be kept on file at camp and available for review during Health Department inspections. Camps that use the telephone screening process must document the screening date, DCJS response and DCJS screener ID number.

Additional Information

For more information regarding the Division of Criminal Justice Services Sex Offender Registry, call (518) 417-3384 or visit their website, criminaljustice.ny.gov.