40 Comments

1. Karen on March 4, 2018 at 11:27 am

   Could I get some input? Too long? Did I get any thing incorrect?

   Greetings

   I am writing to emphatically request you vote NO on Senate Bill 1226. This proposed legislation is wrong on so many levels. First and foremost, it is not based on empirical evidence that is widely available from numerous studies about Sex Offenders and Predators. They are a group of citizens that are the 2nd least likely to re-commit their crime or any crime (second only to murder). In addition, data has shown over and over that proximity is not a factor in sexual crimes. Also, most sexual crimes are committed by those not identified on the registry. Therefore, this law and the registry does absolutely nothing to prevent sexual crimes (proven by empirical evidence).

   Moreover, this proposed legislation imposes more impossible hurdles for formerly sanctioned adults to live their lives and remain productive members of society. Certainly, it is another punishment added to numerous others which not only endanger the Registered Citizen but also their families (including their children). It would effectively hinder travel to Florida by Registered Citizens from other states (even those no longer on the registry in their jurisdiction!). Each time a registered citizen must report a temporary residence change they must report to the sheriff office AND change their ID card! So, in 3 days’ time this legislation would require no less than 2 ID card changes and 2 visits to the sheriff office. The cost to the registered citizen is bad enough but the cost in extra man power to the state is also substantial. The law already requires a 5 day window which is already taxing on all involved. I ask you, will shortening that window by 2 days actually prevent any crime? Will it keep anyone safer? The answer is no it will not! Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that registered citizens coming in as tourists will be able to have proper notification of these requirements in a such a short period of time and it does not allow FL Registered Citizens to even visit family or friends without added stress and sanctions being imposed It does not appear that that this Bill was crafted due to violations of any type but instead just to push through more “feel good” sex offender legislation. Enough is Enough!

   To address the other portion of this Bill that requires MANDATORY minimum periods of GPS monitoring for all technical registration violations. Frankly, this is absurd. It is an imposed punishment on those who have already served their sentence adjudicated by the FL or Federal court. The punishment would be because of a technical violation of which there could be many because of the growing number of sanctions on Registered Citizens. Technical violations are NOT new sexual crimes. While other states across our Nation are realizing that these laws have gotten out of hand and Federal judges are finding many of them unconstitutional the State of Florida wants to keep piling them on. GPS monitoring is expensive – not only for the wearer of the monitor but also for the State. My question would be who is going to monitor these citizens? You cannot impose probation for a violation of these technical laws unless it is a punishment adjudicated by a judge – in case you have forgotten that is called due process. Due process is based on the understanding that ALL are presumed innocent until proven guilty. GPS monitoring is a form of incarceration and the proposal to enforce this for a technical violation is inherently unconstitutional.

   As these laws governing Registered Citizens continue to become more numerous it is clear that the State of Florida considers these individuals as inconsequential– a group of people that can be ostracized, bullied, and abused because they are no longer considered worthy in the eyes of the State. I am here to inform you otherwise – not only do Registered Citizens have those who love them and many friends that know the truth but the clear majority of them pay taxes – their family members and friends pay taxes – their family and friends are voters. Moreover, it has already been decided by a Federal judge that the State of Florida cannot pick and choose to whom they restore the right to vote – it must be none or all – it is likely that all Registered Citizens will get that right restored.

   Again, I implore you to vote NO on Senate Bill 1226.

   Reply
   • Tired on March 4, 2018 at 8:40 pm

     Karen,
     I used your entire message. It was right on. Hope you don’t mind that I plagiarized you. Sent this to all state representatives.
     Lets all hope enough read it and are at least moved just a little bit.
     What’s the old saying:
     Keep on keeping on.

     Reply
     • Karen on March 5, 2018 at 3:21 pm

       On the contrary – I am flattered!

       Reply
     • steve on March 5, 2018 at 4:16 pm

       in your post you mention persons not on the registry in another state would be affected. how so? if you don’t have to register you are free to travel anywhere, right? no 21 days, nothing. if you are going by conviction and not registration how is that legal.

       Reply
       • Karen on March 6, 2018 at 12:30 pm

         Florida law states that if you enter FL and were convicted of a registerable offense in another state (regardless of your status in that State) you must register in FL (which is life for everyone) – in fact, most states are the same – unbelievable I know! First time I heard that I was appalled but it is true. Most people say if you are off the registry in one state don’t leave (or make sure you know the registration laws where you are going) – how is it legal? You tell me! How are any of these inane laws legal…

         Reply
         • Anonymous on March 6, 2018 at 3:24 pm

           I am looking for some information in regards to registry in Utah. It appears Some charges are not registrable charges. For example Sex Battery is defined to include a grope charge. It also is considered a misdemeanor and requires (4) counts to be a registrable offense. So if you moved from another state and your charge fits the definition in Utah’s code for Battery or even attempted s Battery (attempt might be even lower) and its 1ct not 4 would you still need to register? I read it as no. Also if you had a registrable charge would you be able to be removed after the 10 year rule even if the state you are coming from doesn’t have that. If Utah didn’t require registration and or you had been removed after 10 years are you still stuck under SORNA to register ?. If you didn’t have to register and or completed the 10 years and moved in the future to yet a different state would you be forced back to register? I am very interested in any feedback. Thanks

           Reply
         • Josh on March 6, 2018 at 5:38 pm

           We’ll see if we made a dent in two days…I think the senate will vote on Thursday as far as I can see…praying for a miracle! As somebody watching from out of state I can only hope that there’s as much turmoil over SB 1226 as the gun bill that just got passed…..realistically expecting a unanimous “yes” vote however…it will be a horrible injustice for those who have to live and adjust to these new sanctions

           Reply
           • sarah on March 8, 2018 at 7:28 pm

             Was this voted on today?

             Reply
             • Hawkeye on March 9, 2018 at 4:53 pm

               They adopted HB 1301 with two amendments and placed it on today’s calendar for third reading and a vote in the Senste. The House passed it 112 to 0.

               Reply
2. Karen on March 4, 2018 at 8:31 am

   Reasons for returned emails – seems there is an awful lot of resigning going on!

   [email protected]
   The email is/was correct – she resigned her position – see this page
   http://public.lobbytools.com/index.cfm?type=legislators&id=694

   [email protected]
   CORRECT EMAIL IS [email protected]

   [email protected]
   She also resigned her position See
   https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4660&LegislativeTermId=87

   [email protected]
   He also resigned http://public.lobbytools.com/index.cfm?type=legislators&id=552

   [email protected]
   Also resigned his position http://public.lobbytools.com/legislators/489

   [email protected]
   Web page does say he is resigned but does call him “former” also I looked up his district and it says Vacant http://public.lobbytools.com/index.cfm?type=legislators&id=598

   Reply
3. Big J on March 3, 2018 at 10:16 am

   I sent all of them E-mails and contacted them via telephone and it took less than 15 mins. This is why things don’t change, if you don’t take the effort at least try to make change, nothing will ever happen. Just everyone PLEASE do it!

   Reply
   • Amir Sahameddin Ghiassi on September 15, 2022 at 11:50 pm

     I am a retired teacher and 79 years old I have sorrowfully a house in a subdivision with HOA Homeowner association. It seems they want to harass and discrimination me for example they wrote a letter to the court that 9 people are living in my house and they used my name for 3 people and other 3 people were those who rented the whole house many years ago from me. One time they told me that I can have one roommate to help me, because I am old, and my wife is not young too. Later they came to my house and inspect the house and I asked the roommate also should go. She went and only in my house are living my wife and me. I asked even to my family not to visit me, because HOA is against me, but as you see they harass and bother me and sent the page that 9 people are living in my house to the court, but because they have two ex0pensive attorney company the judge dismissed my case even the lie should be punishable by law, they said one day I should cut the trees which are 20 years old. I went to the municipality to ask if I can cut those trees which are over 20 years old. They said no you cannot cut healthy trees. I went to HOA for the situation what can I do. Instead of answering my question that the municipality is against cutting, they told me you are not welcome in the subdivision and the neighbors do not like you and in your house are living 9 people. I am just a retired teacher and have only 700 dollars per month as my salary so I cannot pay the attorneys to support me, and the judge wants attorney to handle the case. The HOA told also you are not from here and Iranian you must sell your house and go away, and they were very impolite to me. Is it my reward after 45 years to be teacher to handle like that? If you cannot pay attorneys, you have no rights and judge said attorney attorney when I wanted to explain my situation. They other and harass in any way they can, when day they say you should have jasmine instead of grass and the other day, they say I should have mulch between Jasmine and one day they say I should remove the mulch. I asked even the agent to sell my house because I see that no office is listening to me. I was persecuted in Iran, because of Christianity as I was also teacher in European and American schools. And here I have been persecuted because of my original nationality. What can I do. I also cut the trees and did whatever the HOA said, but that is not their goal they want to harass and bother me so much and make my life hell, because nobody support me or listen to my situation.

     Reply
4. j on March 3, 2018 at 9:35 am

   did i read the other post correctly??? Sen Book pulled this bill???

   Reply
   • Florida Action Committee on March 3, 2018 at 10:33 am

     NO – She pulled ANOTHER bill

     Reply
5. Tired on March 2, 2018 at 10:09 pm

   Question :
   Isn’t this bill retroactively punishing us?
   Is this allowed?
   Can the F. A. C. present this to a judge, prior to it becoming a law?

   Reply
   • Florida Action Committee on March 3, 2018 at 10:36 am

     We can seek an injunction but FAC is not a law firm and we are not attorneys. We would need to raise money to hire an attorney to do that.

     Reply
     • Tired on March 3, 2018 at 10:49 am

       If we were to get a legal injunction to hold up the passing of these bills, what would be the right reasons not to pass the bill. Besides not liking the bills any ideas on how legally we can stop this from becoming law?

       Reply
     • JZ on March 9, 2018 at 8:04 pm

       THE SENATE JUST PASSED HB1301, UNANIMOUSLY 35-0. GOD HELP US ALL.

       Reply
6. Donna on March 2, 2018 at 3:47 pm

   Would a person who is released from prison on a friday and can’t register until Monday be in violation of this law if it passes? Can”t imagine this could happen. Certainly they can’t count weekends if there is no time to report on the friday.

   Reply
   • RM on March 6, 2018 at 1:23 pm

     No. See Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.040 and Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.514 (incorporated by reference into Fla. R. Crim. Pro. 3.040), the latter of which reads in pertinent part:

     (a) Computing Time. The following rules apply in computing time periods specified in any rule of procedure, local rule, court order, or statute that does not specify a method of computing time.

     …

     (2) Period Stated in Hours. When the period is stated in hours

     (A) begin counting immediately on the occurrence of the event that triggers the period;
     (B) count every hour, including hours during intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; and
     (C) if the period would end on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, or during any period of time extended through an order of the chief justice under Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.205(a)(2)(B)(iv), the period continues to run until the same time on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday and does not fall within any period of time extended through an order of the chief justice.

     Reply
7. 4evermom on March 2, 2018 at 11:58 am

   Yes it is a lot of work but I spent years telling my kids, “You won’t know until you try”. I emailed all individually last night and felt good that I at least tried! I will never stop trying to help my child! God Bless everyone that puts in so much of their time trying to make life a little easier for the registrants. With me it doesn’t go unnoticed!

   Reply
   • Florida Action Committee on March 2, 2018 at 12:02 pm

     Thank you for your efforts on behalf of all of us!

     Reply
8. Mona on March 2, 2018 at 10:52 am

   My son sent out all the emails yesterday last nite & just did the same early 700 am this morning. I hope they read them or open the email.

   Reply
   • JV on March 2, 2018 at 4:54 pm

     Thank you!

     Reply
9. j on March 2, 2018 at 10:27 am

   i have called almost all senators on list, left voicemails on some, spoke to office staff that would answer, most were cordial, but once they found out what the call was about, attitudes changed, they really did not want to talk, with the exception of sen Gibson, the young lady i spoke to took her time time really talk to me, she had no knowledge of SB1226 and read it while we were on the phone, she was flabbergasted at the wording and promised that she would relay my message to the Senator, most had said they had received numerous phone calls on this bill asking for a no vote, amazingly, i got the impression, they had had no calls in favor of this bill

   Reply
   • Florida Action Committee on March 2, 2018 at 11:01 am

     this is great news! Thank you for sharing it.

     Reply
10. JZ on March 2, 2018 at 9:36 am

    FYI:

    Address not found
    Your message wasn’t delivered to

    [email protected]
    [email protected]
    [email protected]
    [email protected]
    [email protected]
    [email protected]

    because the address couldn’t be found or is unable to receive email.

    Reply
    • Florida Action Committee on March 2, 2018 at 9:40 am

      Yes – got that too… if anyone has some time and can look up the corrected addresses, we’d appreciate.

      Reply
11. Tired on March 2, 2018 at 9:09 am

    I think you all should stop fooling yourselves.
    There’s nothing you can do to change the minds of the legislators in Florida. We are not even allowed to vote them out of office.
    Maybe if we all called every sheriff s office in the state and put an extra burden on THEM, they might think twice about passing this bill.

    Reply
    • Florida Action Committee on March 2, 2018 at 9:18 am

      Tired – I appreciate that you are tired and you just may be right… it may not change, but if everyone in this organization shared your attitude we would not have won some victories in Court and our situation would be MUCH worse off. So you can chose to do nothing. You can discourage others from doing nothing too. But the same energy you just spent posting the comment on our site could have been used emailing a senator or two and instead of guaranteeing nothing will happen (by doing nothing), you gave yourself a shot.

      Reply
      • Tired on March 2, 2018 at 9:31 am

        I think you need to know how and when to pick your fights. It took me over 10 years for the local ABC channel to drop a story about me. And, Yes they did drop it. I am not or will never be a quiter. If i believed that changing the mind of the legislators was even possible I would be the first one to help.
        Not trying to be negative, just realistic.

        Reply
        • Lee C on March 2, 2018 at 1:44 pm

          I agree that there will be no change until the general population wakes up the fact that sex offenders and registries are just a political tool being used by politicians and that they are being manipulated emotionally with the issue of CHILDREN.

          Nothing is going to change until the general population understands that registries actually divert attention from those most likely to abuse little (insert name here) is someone they or the family already know and NOT some red dot on a map!

          Registries hurt everyone including children and no change will come until this is common knowledge.

          SexOffenderTruth.com

          Reply
        • JV on March 2, 2018 at 4:53 pm

          You miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take Tired. We might have only a 10% chance to make this shot but that’s better than 0%.

          If you do nothing, nothing will change.

          Reply
        • G on March 3, 2018 at 12:50 am

          Tired, I hear you and commend you on your long successful fight! But it seems to me that “possible” is a subjective term. I would not have thought it possible that a Mayor (Scott Litzinger) or a Representative (Bryan Barbin) would publicly stand behind a sex offender. But it happened. I would not have thought it possible a candidate running for a judicial post (in Texas of all states!) would publicly stand behind hiring a sex offender. But it happened.
          So now I believe it is possible that united and with strength in numbers we can change legislative/political minds. We have seen cases of this in other states. It may be tough to do in ours, and we may be ale to only move the ball by inches. But does that not get us closer to the goal line?
          The persons I admire the most are Gandhi and Dr. King because they had the strength to not fall into cynicism or despair, nor to resort to violence or hate, but rather they led and did not give up.
          We have leaders in our organizations that are doing the same. And I am deeply grateful to them. They are pulling more than their weight. And I can only imagine how that weight grows when those on the same team pull in an opposite direction.
          And so I will put all my efforts to help move the ball. I will write to those against us. And most importantly to those with us! For those with us are doing what most do not. They are the courageous ones facing the onslaught of misconceptions. They are the ones moving the ball, inch by inch.

          Reply
12. Donna on March 2, 2018 at 8:46 am

    If anyone needs the numbers and got this message but cannot use the computer, they can call me. It may be quicker. I can spend the day doing this if I have to.

    Reply
    • Florida Action Committee on March 2, 2018 at 9:07 am

      Thank you Donna!

      Reply
13. sarah on March 2, 2018 at 8:26 am

    This is overwhelming. Not wrong, overwhelming. How many registrants and or families are able to tackle a list this long? Seems the real hope is defeating Ms Brook legally. There is no justification for what she is doing. She is on a power trip to elevate herself while destroying lives of people who are very unlikely to reoffend statistically. God help us all if she is able to influence that many people that we have put In office. They are not even taking the time to research. Its much easier for them to just say yes. No one even showed up to fight this bill. Sadly, I wasn’t there either….just sayin……Even so, Thank you FAC for all your hard work and persistence

    Reply
    • Florida Action Committee on March 2, 2018 at 9:14 am

      Sarah – it’s not so overwhelming. Compose one email for the House, and another version of the senate and copy all the legislators. That’ll take the least amount of time.
      Ideally call also, but if you don’t have the time, at least email.

      Reply
    • JV on March 2, 2018 at 4:50 pm

      You can just cut and paste all the emails….that’s probably the easiest way. Just write the body, cut and paste away.

      Reply
      • sarah on March 3, 2018 at 6:35 am

        Thank you

        Reply