Lawmakers, Law Enforcement, and Educators Advocate for Improved Notification of Juvenile Offender Releases

State Senator Pam Helming, alongside local law enforcement officials and school leaders, is advocating for changes to state law that would require timely communication from state agencies when a minor convicted of a felony is released from state custody. Supporters of the proposal argue that the change would help law enforcement agencies and school districts better prepare for such situations and enhance public safety.

The issue gained attention following a 2022 incident in Ontario County, where a 15-year-old student brought a loaded firearm to a high school. The student was convicted of multiple felonies and served two years in a facility overseen by the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Upon release, local law enforcement and the school district were not notified, raising concerns about a gap in current policy.

While the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is required by law to notify local authorities when adult felony offenders are released from custody, no such requirement exists for minors released from OCFS facilities.

To address this, Senator Helming has introduced legislation (S.3624) that would mandate coordination between OCFS and DOCCS to ensure that both school districts and local law enforcement are informed before a minor convicted of a felony is released.

“This legislation aims to close a potentially dangerous loophole in state law and ensure that agencies coordinate efforts to provide timely notification,” Helming said. “This will help schools and law enforcement prepare accordingly—not only for student and community safety but also to support a student’s reintegration into school where applicable.”

Several education and law enforcement officials have voiced support for the bill.

Chris Barnard, Superintendent of Red Jacket Schools, emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that schools need clear and effective measures to balance safety with the reintegration of students.

“This measure empowers school districts to take proactive steps in protecting students while maintaining a system rooted in transparency, accountability, and compassion,” Barnard said.

Dansville Schools Superintendent Kelly Zimmerman highlighted the role of schools in rehabilitation and the need for information-sharing between juvenile justice agencies and educators. “For schools to effectively fulfill this role, it is essential that they receive pertinent information about the child’s history, needs, and risk factors,” she said.

Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts pointed to broader public safety concerns, arguing that without notification, schools and communities are left unprepared.

“Learning that someone who locked down a school and held an administrator at gunpoint has been released because he is on or near the campus is a loophole that cannot continue,” Ritts said.

The legislation has also gained support in the State Assembly, where Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan is sponsoring a companion bill.

“This common-sense legislation will enable our schools to better serve the learning needs of all students and allow law enforcement to prepare for the reintegration of youth felony offenders,” Gallahan said.

The proposal now awaits consideration in the Legislature, where supporters hope it will be enacted to improve coordination between state agencies, schools, and law enforcement in cases involving juvenile offenders.