Huntington hearing to focus on where sex offenders can live

Huntington officials are holding a public hearing April 5 on a resolution that would repeal stringent restrictions on where sex offenders may live and bring the town into compliance with the state.

According to the resolution, the change is necessary because a state Court of Appeals decision determined that the state — not local governments — must make those decisions.

“The town board has no choice but to update the code so as to remove previously-enacted legislation protecting the rights of minors,” the resolution says.

The town adopted sex offender residency restrictions in 2005 and amended them in 2007. The current law limits where sex offenders could live to a quarter-mile from schools, day cares and camps, among other restrictions.

The public hearing will be held at the monthly town board meeting, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at Town Hall, 100 Main St.