By Bob Katzen

This bill Creates a Child Abuse Registry and requires the name of anyone convicted of child abuse or neglect of a child under 18 to be listed in the registry.

Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond himself to repeated attempts to comment on the measure. “This was a bill that former Rep. [Now Sen.] Velis filed on behalf of a constituent,” responded his Chief of Staff Katie Verra, “The bill was very near and dear to the constituent’s heart. With a new team and a new role as senator, he will have to see if this is something he decides to file again.”