Florida’s “Public Swimming Pool” Restriction Is Already Spreading Across the Country
When Florida added “public swimming pools” to its growing list of restricted locations we warned it would create a domino effect. History shows that once a new registry restriction is adopted in one state, it often spreads elsewhere.
That appears to be happening now. This week, the City Council of Lufkin, Texas approved a new residency restriction ordinance creating “child safety zones” around schools, parks, daycare centers, churches — and public swimming pools!
This is how registry laws have expanded for decades. One jurisdiction adopts a new restriction, another points to it as a model, and before long the same language appears across the country. Florida has been at the forefront of these expansions, and the addition of public swimming pools appears to be following the same path.
The ordinance in Lufkin is a reminder that what happens in Florida doesn’t stay in Florida. When restrictions like these go unchallenged, they spread. Before long they become the new national standard. Registrants across the country cannot afford to ignore what is happening in another state because sooner or later those same policies often find their way into their own communities. That is why FAC’s forthcoming challenge to Florida’s new law is about more than Florida. It is an opportunity to stop the spread of these ever-expanding restrictions before they become entrenched nationwide. If you live outside Florida and understand the importance of drawing a line here, we invite you to support this effort. The outcome will not just affect Floridians. It could shape the future of registry laws across the country.
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Cherokee. The Constitution is dead. It has been for years. When ex post facto punishment laws are passed, the Constitution is dead. When new laws are passed and applied retro actively, the Constitution is dead. When you restrict where a person can work, live, travel, employment, the Constitution is dead.
“It’s not a living document. It’s dead, dead, dead.”
– Justice Antonin Scalia, 2013
Wait a Texas minute. Churches? What the heck. I was under the impression that they cannot ban any registered person to attended church. And what church has a pool? This one is something I myself would be willing to challenge.
The worst person on Earth is welcomed to church, as long as they are not coming there for trouble, but for redemption. Regardless of the faith, religion is strongly protected in the constitution. Everyone is usually welcome so how can a law override being around a church, and again what church has a pool other than a baptism.
This one boggles my brain, enlighten me Great speaker of F.A.C knowledge.
Cherokee, This is from Texas. Unless you are in Texas, you don’t have standing to challenge it. If you’re looking to do something, join FAC or contribute to our lawsuit. We’re willing to share knowledge, but please consider giving something back to the cause.
Lee County Florida bars any registrant from places of “indoor recreation”.
I have been really wanting to go to the local planetarium (Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium), but can I?
It is anybody’s guess, so I guess I just miss out.
People have overlooked local-level restrictions and swimming pool bans have been a thing fore municipal-level laws for years, actually.
Florida isn’t the only state that allows municipal-level laws, and many add all sorts of places to their municipal lists. There’s even a community in Wisconsin that adds the local post office as a ‘child safety zone.”