NORWICH – One resident and three county supervisors spoke at a public hearing Monday of a proposed Chenango County law that would restrict where sex offenders can live.

The local law would establish residency and proximity restrictions for level 2 and 3 sex offenders who have committed criminal offenses against minors. It would prohibit them from living near parks, playgrounds, schools or day care settings for children.

Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting proposed the statute in March. It was passed by the board in April, and was unanimously adopted into law by the full Board of Supervisors following the public hearing on Monday.

Preston Supervisor Peter C. Flanagan asked whether the county was prepared for possible legal challenges to the new statute, saying he was aware that other counties had experienced them.