Orange County, NY Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Local Law No. 1 of 2008, effective January 7, 2008, created "child safety zones" covering the area on or within 300 feet of the property line of specified child-congregation sites across the county. Section Two defines those sites broadly: public and private pre-K through 12 schools, licensed day care centers and family child care homes, state-licensed residential and group homes for children, parks, and "recreational facilities," a list that names playgrounds, forest preserves, jogging trails, beaches, water parks, athletic fields, basketball courts, hockey rinks, golf courses, skating parks, dance and gymnastic studios, movie theaters, martial arts schools and pool halls open to the public.

Section Three makes it an offense for a person previously convicted of a crime against a victim under 18, who must register under the New York State Sex Offenders Registration Act (Article 6-C, Chapter 43, Consolidated Laws), to loiter or remain in a child safety zone after a law enforcement officer has clearly informed the person they are in the zone and the person refuses to leave when asked to do so. The county legislature passed the measure by a 21-0 roll call vote on December 6, 2007, citing recidivism among convicted sex offenders as the reason for creating a buffer around places where children regularly congregate.

Section Four directs state, county and local law enforcement agencies to enforce the law uniformly countywide, so the Orange County Sheriff's Office, a municipal police department, or New York State Police can each act under it. Section Five requires the sentencing court to notify the offender's probation or parole officer, and the New York State Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders, whenever someone is convicted under the law.