Bill requires moving companies disclose employed sex offenders

FORT MYERS, Fla. – When a mover comes to your house, do you know who you’re inviting in? A new Florida law wants to make sure you’re notified if a sex offender is working for the moving company you hire.

Moving businesses we spoke with say they already have processes in place.

Getting a job at Affordable Transfer Company in Fort Myers involves more than just putting in a job application.

“We start by doing a background check by looking at their criminal history to see if they have any,” said William Jensen.

Jensen says a third-party company even does drug testing to ensure members of his team are “high quality.”

The new Florida law signed days ago would penalize moving companies up to $5,000 if they fail to inform customers that an employee on staff on the customer’s property was convicted of a sexual offense.

“If I was a customer, I’d want to know if someone was coming to my house that was a sexual predator,” Jensen said.

But not everyone completely agrees with this law, saying it could make it tougher for sex offenders to keep a job.

“It’s perfectly understandable that no one would want that to happen, you would not want that kind of thing at all,” said Jane Cooper, “but what’s that person going to do with their life?”

As Cooper helps a friend pack for a move in a south Fort Myers community, she says the new law could be another roadblock for sex offenders looking for work, but she still supports what the law aims to accomplish.

“You make the best of a bad decision, which don’t let them get into your house.”

The new law is one of 16 Governor Rick Scott signed June 9.

It goes into effect October 1.

SOURCE

34 thoughts on “Bill requires moving companies disclose employed sex offenders

  • June 13, 2017

    but a painter, electrican, hvac tech, etc… can go in their home what a crock of crap!

    Reply
    • June 13, 2017

      Don’t give anyone any ideas!

      Reply
  • June 13, 2017

    It is not a matter if in Florida, but when SEX OFFENDERS WILL HAVE TO WEAR A BIG S on their clothing just like Jews in Nazi Germany had to wear a big J on their clothing

    Reply
    • June 27, 2017

      No joke. I’ve been afraid of that for years now. It gives me unbelievable anxiety.

      Reply
    • June 27, 2017

      I do believe they had to wear a large Star of David externally on their clothing. The idea of a Scarlet Letter is still the same.

      Reply
  • June 13, 2017

    The primary purpose of this law is NOT to protect the public. It’s mission is to keep the RSO from having employment. This is the start of what should be known as “starvation laws”.

    This is more “punishment”; this is also another reason why Smith v. Doe must be revisited by SCOTUS.

    Reply
    • June 13, 2017

      I like the term Starvation Laws. I think FAC and other supporters could drive home some strong points with this term in our lawsuits and talking points. Let’s push it

      Reply
  • June 13, 2017

    I would like to see the wording on this law. Does it apply only to residential moving services or to commercial logistical moving services as well? This law clearly illustrates the purely malevolent intent on the part of the law-makers who crafted and supported this bill to continually disenfranchise a particular sub-set of ex-felons; absent any shred of evidence what-so-ever that a registered “mover” used such employ to endanger a child.

    Reply
  • June 13, 2017

    If this law is so important, what about allowing drug dealers, thieves, burglars. armed home invaders, murderers, etc into one’s home? This law is a fine example of ‘do-gooders’ going after an agenda rather than a problem. The more they can turn away from legitimate work to earn a living and support a family, the more that will have to turn to crime just to survive. Of course, that adds to job security for law enforcement…and I use the term ‘law enforcement’ loosely.

    Reply
    • June 13, 2017

      More like re-election enforcement…

      Reply
  • June 13, 2017

    Yup keep making it harder and harder…I remember when my son was on paper they pressured him all the time to get a job lol what a joke! If it wasn’t for some kind people that saw beyond the label he would be homeless now. They should have just made it where RSOs can’t work for moving companies because it accomplishes the same thing. Idiots!

    Reply

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