Upcoming Proposed Florida Sex Offender Legislation
Weekly Update 2017-02-21
Dear Members and Advocates,
Things are happening in Tallahassee. It’s that time of year, where bills are introduced, they are kicked around in legislative committees and we need to be contacting our senators and representatives letting them know how we feel about them.
There are some bills that are good and some that are bad. Here’s our take:
House Joint Resolution 565 would restore the civil rights of all felons automatically 3 years after court ordered sanctions are completed. This is a GREAT bill that would enable many of us to obtain business licenses again and vote.
Then there’s HB 686/SB 699, which would exempt email addresses and internet identifiers of registrants from public disclosure. Although we oppose the required reporting of this information to begin with, we fully support that it will not be disclosed to third parties absent very specific circumstances.
The one bill we absolutely and STRONGLY OPPOSE is SB 684/HB 701 which is the legislature’s attempt to re-write the internet identifier law in the face of the lawsuit and preliminary injunction we got back in October. This re-write chills speech and violated First Amendment rights. Although our lawsuit is continuing and even if this bill becomes law it will be challenged by that lawsuit, we need to do our best to let our representatives in Tallahassee know that we are against this bill!
For a more comprehensive list of current bills impacting our population, visit here<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/new-bills-filed-fl-legislature/>.
PLEASE SCROLL BELOW THE LINE ON THIS EMAIL FOR AN IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION on SB 684/HB 701
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee
Fellow Warriors, FAC MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS,
We are in the throes of committee weeks in Tallahassee as our legislators prepare for the actual 2017 legislative session, which begins March 7. They have already been busy filing bills. As I am sure most of you are aware, a new policy was to go into effect October 1, 2016 regarding “internet identifiers” which was enjoined (halted) by a ruling of the court, due to a lawsuit we initiated! The legislature is trying to clarify/simplify this by creating new language found in SB 684/HB 701. Although they have made it somewhat less burdensome it is still unconstitutional and FAC will oppose.
Many of you ask how you may help and be involved. This is one of the most important ways you may do both.
We need all of you and your circle of supporters and their supporters and their supporters to reach out and call your legislators and all members of the following committees to oppose this bill based on the following talking points.
Call to Action!!!
SB 684/HB 701
OPPOSE
It is important that when you call, give your name, if you are a constituent, say so, DO NOT mention your registration status as it is irrelevant. If you are not a registered citizen DO NOT mention as it is irrelevant.
Talking Pints:
* UNCONSTITUTIONAL
* Chills speech
* All citizens are protected by the US Constitution, not just some.
* Protecting the Constitution begins with “equal protection under the law”
* If we continue down this path by denying the rights of this group of people it’s a slippery slope, who then is next?
* This population is already without a voice in their inability to vote, they should at least be allowed to use their voices to comment on policies and articles anonymously if they so choose, as does every other citizen, without fear of law enforcement or the government knowing what they’re thinking or saying.
* If law enforcement believes a crime is being committed they can get a search warrant, as they would for every other citizen.
- It is unconscionable the legislature believes this is acceptable to us as Americans.
* Public Safety is your responsibility and this is included as a public safety issue, as “ALL” of us should have the right to speak freely regardless of our status, without fear of retribution from law enforcement or government.
IT IS BAD POLICY FOR FLORIDA and AMERICA.
Click here to find the listings of all your legislators. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/representatives.aspx http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/#Senators
Committees:
House of Representatives Committees
Judiciary:
Chairman: Chris Sprowls chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5065
Vice Chairman: Ross Spano ross.spano@myfloridahoouse.gov<mailto:ross.spano@myfloridahoouse.gov> (850) 717-5059
Democratic Ranking Member: Cynthia Stafford cynthia.stafford@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:cynthia.stafford@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5109
Alexander, Ramon [D] ramon.alexander@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:ramon.alexander@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5008
Burgess, Jr., Daniel Wright “Danny” [R] Daniel.burgess@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:Daniel.burgess@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5038
Cortes, John [D] john.cortes@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:john.cortes@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5043
Diamond, Ben [D] ben.diamond@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:ben.diamond@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5068
Fant, Jay [R] jay.fant@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:jay.fant@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5015
Fitzenhagen, Heather [R] heather.fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:heather.fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5078
Geller, Joseph [D] joseph.geller@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:joseph.geller@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5100
Gonzalez, Julio [R] julio.gonzalez@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:julio.gonzalez@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5074
Grall, Erin [R] erin.grall@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:erin.grall@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5054
Hager, Bill [R] bill.hagar@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:bill.hagar@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5089
Harrison, Shawn [R] shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5063
Metz, Larry [R] larry.metz@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:larry.metz@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5032
Moraitis, Jr., George R. [R] george.moraitis@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:george.moraitis@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5093
Plakon, Scott [R] scott.plakon@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:scott.plakon@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5029
Pritchett, Sharon [D] pritchett.sharon@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:pritchett.sharon@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5102
Justice Appropriations:
Chairman: Bill Hagar bill.hagar@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:bill.hagar@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5089
Vice Chairman: Eris Eisnaugle eric.eisnaugle@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:eric.eisnaugle@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5044
Democratic Ranking Member: Sharon Pritchett pritchett.sharon@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:pritchett.sharon@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5102
Abruzzo, Joseph [D] joseph.abruzzo@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:joseph.abruzzo@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5081
Asencio, Robert [D] robert.asencio@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:robert.asencio@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5118
Byrd, Cord [R] cord.byrd@myfloridahoouse.gov<mailto:cord.byrd@myfloridahoouse.gov> (850) 717-5011
Daniels, Kimberly [D] kimberly.daniels@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:kimberly.daniels@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5014
Fitzenhagen, Heather [R] heather.fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:heather.fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5078
Gruters, Joe [R] joe.gruters@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:joe.gruters@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5073
Miller, Mike [R] mike.miller@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:mike.miller@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5047
Plakon, Scott [R] scott.plakon@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:scott.plakon@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5029
Spano, Ross [R] ross.spano@myfloridahoouse.gov<mailto:ross.spano@myfloridahoouse.gov> (850) 717-5059
Sullivan, Jennifer Mae [R] Jennifer.sullivan@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:Jennifer.sullivan@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5031
Williams, Patricia H. [D] patricia.williams@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:patricia.williams@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5092
Yarborough, Clay [R] clay.yarborough@mefloridahouse.gov<mailto:clay.yarborough@mefloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5012
Criminal Justice:
Chairman: Ross Spano ross.spano@myfloridahoouse.gov<mailto:ross.spano@myfloridahoouse.gov> (850) 717-5059
Vice Chair: Julio Gonzalez julio.gonzalez@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:julio.gonzalez@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5074
Democratic Ranking Member: Sharon Pritchett pritchett.sharon@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:pritchett.sharon@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5102
Alexander, Ramon [D] ramon.alexander@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:ramon.alexander@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5008
Altman, Thad [R] thad.altman@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:thad.altman@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5052
Eagle, Dane [R] dane.eagle@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:dane.eagle@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5077
Grant, James “J.W.” [R] james.grant@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:james.grant@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5064
Harrell, Gayle B. [R] gayle.harrell@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:gayle.harrell@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5083
Latvala, Chris [R] chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5067
Moskowitz, Jared Evan [D] jared.moskowitz@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:jared.moskowitz@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5097
Raulerson, Daniel D. “Dan” [R] daniel.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:daniel.raulerson@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5058
Richardson, David [D] david.richardson@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:david.richardson@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5113
Rommel, Bob [R] bob.rommel@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:bob.rommel@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5106
Slosberg, Emily [D] emily.slosberg@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:emily.slosberg@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5091
Sullivan, Jennifer Mae [R] Jennifer.sullivan@myfloridahouse.gov<mailto:Jennifer.sullivan@myfloridahouse.gov> (850) 717-5031
Senate Committees:
Judiciary
Chair: Senator Greg Steube (R) steube.greg@flsenate.gov<mailto:steube.greg@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5023
Vice Chair: Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R) benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov<mailto:benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5027
Senator Randolph Bracy (D) bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov<mailto:bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5011
Senator Anitere Flores (R) flores.anitere@flsenate.gov<mailto:flores.anitere@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5039
Senator Rene Garcia (R) garcia.rene@flsenate.gov<mailto:garcia.rene@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5036
Senator Audrey Gibson (D) gibson.audrey@flsenate.gov<mailto:gibson.audrey@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5006
Senator Debbie Mayfield (R) mayfield.debbie@flsenate.gov<mailto:mayfield.debbie@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5017
Senator Bobby Powell (D) bobby.powell@flsenate.gov<mailto:bobby.powell@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5030
Senator Perry E. Thurston, Jr. (D) thurston.perry@flsenate.gov<mailto:thurston.perry@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5033
Justice Appropriations:
Chairman: Senator Aaron Bean (R) bean.aaron@flsenate.gov<mailto:bean.aaron@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5004
Vice Chairman: Senator Randolph Bracy (D) bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov<mailto:bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5011
Senator Dennis Baxley (R) baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov<mailto:baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5012
Senator Jeff Clemens (D) clemens.jeff@flsenate.gov<mailto:clemens.jeff@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5031
Senator Keith Perry (R) perry.kieth@flsenate.gov<mailto:perry.kieth@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5008
Criminal Justice:
Chair: Senator Randolph Bracy (D) bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov<mailto:bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5011
Vice Chair: Senator Dennis Baxley (R) baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov<mailto:baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5012
Senator Aaron Bean (R) bean.aaron@flsenate.gov<mailto:bean.aaron@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5004
Senator Rob Bradley (R) bradley.rob@flsenate.gov<mailto:bradley.rob@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5005
Senator Jeff Brandes (R) brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov<mailto:brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5024
Senator Jeff Clemens (D) clemens.jeff@flsenate.gov<mailto:clemens.jeff@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5031
Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson (D) rouson.darryl@flsenate.gov<mailto:rouson.darryl@flsenate.gov> (850) 487-5019
This is your time to SHOW UP, STAND UP and SPEAK UP!
We are all in this together.
Some Headlines from this Week
Task force would seek to remake Florida’s criminal justice system<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/task-force-seek-remake-floridas-criminal-justice-system/>
Florida’s state lawmakers increasingly are embracing criminal justice reform policies that break with the state’s “tough on crime” past Last year, Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, and the GOP-controlled legislature approved one of the most far-reaching civil asset…
CA: Tiered Registry Bill Introduced!!!<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/ca-tiered-registry-bill-introduced/>
Janice’s Journal: Tiered Registry Bill Could Help More Than 90 Percent of Registrants It has happened at last! A tiered registry bill has been introduced in the state legislature. Before looking at the substance of the bill (Senate Bill 695), it is important to look…
WARNING: ClearMyCase.com<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/warning-clearmycase-com-2/>
We have been contacted by many members about an unsolicited flyer they received in the mail from a company in Texas that is being marketed as “Clearmycase.com”. Apparently the company is using the Florida Sex Offender registry to solicit registrants, telling them that…
Untouchable<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/untouchable/>
Take a guess: What percentage of convicted sex offenders will go on to commit a second sex crime? If you named any figure higher than 5 percent, social science says you’re wrong. But don’t worry, the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t know the right answer, either. More than…