Gov. Cuomo proposes banning sex offenders from MTA rail systems and buses

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing to ban high-risk sex offenders from subways, MTA buses and rail systems for a period of three years.

The proposal is on Gov. Cuomo's 2020 State of the State agenda which will be unveiled Wednesday.
The governor says level 3 sex offenders or those who repeatedly violate the MTA code of conduct would no longer be able to use transportation services if the bill becomes law.
Gov. Cuomo says "MTA riders deserve to feel safe and we have an obligation to ensure they will not be targeted by sex offenders."
The governor says under this proposal, a convicted offender could be subject to a prohibition law for the safety of the public. Those who violate the judge's order could be hit with transit trespass, a misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea says "We embrace every effort to exclude from our subway system this small number of serious offenders who are doing a lot of damage. They are repeat criminals who ride the trains to hunt for victims among the millions of New Yorkers who deserve safe, daily transportation."
However, not everyone is for this legislation.
The Legal Aid Society says this law would further marginalize this group of New Yorkers who are profiled by police when using mass transit.