Mineola, NY- Nassau County Legislator Patrick Williams (D-Uniondale) was joined by his Democratic colleagues at the April 29 legislative meeting in unanimously approving legislation that will require all members of the clergy to report incidences of sexual abuse or unlawful conduct against minors to the Nassau County District Attorney.

According to Legislator Williams, the local law was created to fill a void in current state legislation that does not include the clergy among a list of persons that are required to report sexual abuse crimes against minors. The state legislation includes doctors, social workers, and school officials among a long list of other required reporters.

The local law does not focus on any one religious group or order as it defines the clergy as "a duly authorized bishop, pastor, rector, priest, rabbi, minister, imam, nun or a person regularly practicing such profession within the County of Nassau, or in accordance with the rules and regulations of the governing ecclesiastical body of the denomination or order, if any, to which the church belongs."

Failure to comply with the local law will be considered a class A misdemeanor and is punishable by $1,000 fine, or one year in prison or three years probation. The legislation will be terminated if the New York State legislature enacts a law requiring the clergy to report incidences involving the sexual victimization of minors.

During the meeting, the Legislature also approved a local law that will allow the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Division of Law Enforcement, to screen and fingerprint prospective employees who would work as peace officers.

Also approved at the meeting:

• An ordinance authorizing the County Executive to execute an agreement between Nassau County and New York State Department of Transportation for the exchange of properties.
• An ordinance appropriating an additional $61,750 for Early Intervention, Child Find and Children with Special Health Care Needs.
• An ordinance appropriating $218,470 for a program entitled "Traffic Safety Enforcement and Education."
• An ordinance appropriating $11,000 for a program entitled "Prevention of Impaired Driving."
• An ordinance appropriating $42,437.50 for the Nassau County Police Department for narcotics enforcement purposes.
• An ordinance appropriating $59,719.53 in asset forfeiture funds for use by the Nassau County Police Department for law enforcement efforts.
• Ratifying the action of the Commissioner of Public Works in preparing a map showing real property and easements to be acquired by the County for the improvements of I.U. Willets Road, in Searingtown.
• A resolution allowing Plainview Road from 500' +/- East of the Long Island Railroad to South Oyster Bay Road that has intermittent curbs, inadequate drainage and localized pavement deterioration to be fixed.
• A resolution proposing to widen Glen Cove Road and Northern Boulevard to improve traffic flow and increase intersection capacity and add a left turning arrow on the traffic signal.
• A resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute an agreement on behalf of the District Attorney with various local Police Departments in relation to a Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force using federal grant funds in the amount of $117,849 to intensify investigation and prosecution of drug and gun possession and sales.
• A resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute a grant application on behalf of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs with the New York State Office for the Aging in the amount of $13,158. The funding will be used toward the retired Senior Volunteer Program.
• A resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute a grant application with the New York State Office for the Aging and the County to receive $35,121 in Federal funds and $41,902 in state funds. The funding will be used toward the expansion of the existing Ombudservice program in nursing homes.
• A resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute a Grant Agreement with New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee whereby the County will receive state funds in the amount of $215,450 toward DWI Enforcement Program Enhancement.
• A resolution authorizing the Treasurer of Nassau County to assign a certain tax sale certificate in connection with certain premises in the Town of North Hempstead.
• A resolution to accept a gift of an all-terrain vehicle offered by Steven A. Lebensfeld, CEO of Toymax International.
• A resolution to allow the Nassau Community College Board of Trustees to accept gifts of computer technology goods and services offered by donors to the college.