Updates-on-recent-florida-sex-offender-legislation
Weekly Update 2017-05-09
Dear Members and Advocates,
The results from 2017’s legislative session are coming in and it’s a mixed bag. The good news, is that the one we were particularly concerned about, SB 1558, which would have created a “rebuttable presumption of dangerousness” to one’s own children and given DCF the green light to remove a registrant’s children from their custody, died! The bad news is that the bill that would have kept internet identifiers excluded from public records requests died, but the amended definition of “internet identifiers” passed. It’s not that disappointing, because our lawsuit is already in place and progressing through the courts, so this just reinforces our case.
A disappointing failed bill was the voting rights for felons bill, that would serve to restore voting rights to felons upon release from sanctions. It would not have impacted our population, since “sex offenders” and murderers were excluded, but it would have been a significant step in the right direction towards criminal justice reform. Perhaps it’s just as well; maybe the next round it won’t exclude our population.
Going through our legislative advocacy is an eye opening and scary experience. As we saw in the news over the past few days, the US House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Reform Act of 2017 while most Representatives admitted to not having read it and, after voting for it, were surprised about some of the things contained in it. The same thing takes place in the Florida Legislature. Sometimes, when speaking with lawmakers, you will tell them what was contained in a bill they voted in favor of and they are surprised. Sometimes, language contained in one bill that is on a path to failing will be added to another bill that’s passed. It’s some sneaky and shady stuff, which is why it’s so important that we respond to calls to action and contact legislators to let them know we have our eyes on what’s going on. It’s important for them to know there’s opposition.
For those who took the time to contact their Senators and Representatives, we thank you. Every year we become a little more experienced, a little more in tune with what’s going on, a little more efficient and as our organization grows, our voice in Tallahassee becomes stronger!
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee
REMINDER:Meet and Greet in Apopka (Orange County) this Saturday May13 from 1:00-3:00pm. Registered Citizens, family, friends, and advocates are welcome. No children. Call or email for location and RSVP. (833) 2-REPEAL [833-273-7325] or 407-814-4203. Email membership@floridaactioncommittee.org.
SOME HEADLINES FROM THIS WEEK
Hope for Out of State Registrants on FL Registry<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/hope-state-registrants-fl-registry/>
The following article, along with a case we are organizing on behalf of out-of-state registrants who are on the Florida registry, gives some hope that there might be ways to challenge the registration requirement. ___ The 12th Circuit State Attorney Office has dropped…
Canada: Ottawa gives $7.48M for sex offender reintegration program<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/canada-ottawa-gives-7-48m-sex-offender-reintegration-program/>
A Canadian initiative that helps reintegrate convicted sexual offenders back into society – an approach that cuts recidivism rates by anywhere from 67 to 92 per cent – has been granted $7.48 million in funding by the federal government. Circles of Support and…
MO: New Bill Imposes Lifetime GPS on Sex Offenders<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/mo-new-bill-imposes-lifetime-gps-sex-offenders/>
A new bill in Missouri seeks to slap anyone who was found guilty of a sex offense after August 2006 to wear a GPS ankle bracelet for life. Thankfully the attorney quoted in the following article recognizes the law will be challenged. More can be found here:…
Lauren’s Kids racks up six-figure donations via auto tag registration renewals<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/laurens-kids-racks-six-figure-donations-via-auto-tag-registration-renewals/>
In January, Broward County car owners who received their auto tag renewal notices also got a special message from Lauren’s Kids, the nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing child sex abuse and founded by freshman State Sen. Lauren Book. Inside the envelopes,…