State Sen. Patty Ritchie has introduced legislation that would make it a crime for a criminal offender to tamper with an electronic monitoring device.

Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, represents northern St. Lawrence County, including Ogdensburg, Canton, Gouverneur, Oswegatchie, Waddington, Lisbon, Madrid, Hermon and Morristown.

“Electronic monitoring devices are intended to help law enforcement keep watch over suspected or convicted criminals, who might otherwise be held behind bars,” Ritchie said.

The law was inspired in part by the case of accused killer and child rapist David Renz.

“But this horrific case shows that they are far from fool-proof. My bill seeks to create a strong deterrent for continued criminal activity, a valuable tool for law enforcement, and an additional level of protection to keep the community safe,” Ritchie said.

Law enforcers said that Renz removed his ankle monitoring device before attacking and killing Lori Bresnahan, an ex-Oswego school librarian, and raping a 10-year-old girl in a central New York parking lot in March.

The bill, S.5422-A, would make it a felony for an offender to tamper with a monitoring device, adding up to four years of prison time if a crime is committed following the tampering or up to one year if no crime is committed.

Currently, tampering with a device can be a violation of parole or pre-sentencing release, but it is not a separate crime.

Sen. Ritchie said she will push for passage of the measure before the scheduled end of the legislative session next week.