CALL TO ACTION – Oppose CS/HB 45 and SB 212
Topic: Oppose CS/HB 45 and SB 212 – Expanding Florida’s Sex Offender Residency Restrictions to Waterways and Pools
Background: Florida legislators are considering House Bill 45 and Senate Bill 212, which would expand existing 1,000-foot residency restrictions to include public swimming pools and public bathing places, such as lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. While intended as a public safety measure, these bills would dramatically expand exclusion zones across the state and create serious legal, practical, and public safety problems.
Under current law, residency restrictions already limit where thousands of Floridians can live. By adding swimming pools and virtually all natural bodies of water, HB 45 and SB 212 would make most residential housing in Florida effectively unavailable to people subject to registration requirements, including apartments, mobile home parks, RV parks, group homes, and motels. These are the very housing options most commonly used by low-income individuals and families.
The bills attempt to “grandfather” some existing residents, but only partially. Individuals may remain where they currently live yet lose that protection if they ever move – even temporarily. As written, the legislation is vague and risks unintended consequences, including potential unconstitutional takings if someone is barred from returning to a home they own or lawfully occupied. Poorly defined retroactivity also raises serious ex-post facto concerns, increasing the likelihood of costly litigation.
From a public safety standpoint, the expansion is counterproductive. Florida’s own Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) has documented that residency restrictions are a significant contributor to homelessness among registrants. Counties with the most restrictive local ordinances experience homelessness rates as high as 30–34%, while counties relying primarily on state law see substantially lower rates. Homelessness makes supervision more difficult, destabilizes families, and undermines rehabilitation—outcomes that do not support community safety.
The bills also introduce significant enforcement problems. Natural waterways shift with tides, storms, and seasonal changes, making 1,000-foot boundaries unclear and constantly moving. Law enforcement would be tasked with tracking not only changing coastlines and rivers, but also determining whether swimming pools were built before or after a person established residence—an unworkable and resource-intensive mandate.
Importantly, over-expanding Florida’s residency restrictions places the entire statutory scheme at risk. Unlike registration itself, Florida’s statewide residency restriction statute has never been reviewed by a Florida appellate court. By extending it to waterways and pools—effectively amounting to geographic banishment—the Legislature increases the risk that courts will find the law punitive and unconstitutional. If that happens, Florida could be left with no statewide residency restrictions at all, an outcome that benefits no one.
What You Can Do: Contact your legislator via phone or email. When contacting legislators, please keep your message brief and respectful.
Make sure you make clear that “I oppose HB 45 and SB 212.”
Then choose one or two points that resonate with you, such as:
• These bills expand residency restrictions so broadly that they increase homelessness and decrease public safety.
• The legislation is vague and risks unconstitutional takings and retroactive punishment.
• Over-reaching restrictions invite court challenges that could invalidate Florida’s residency laws entirely.
• Public safety is better served by stability, supervision, and prevention—not by forcing families into homelessness.
If you call, keep your message under one minute. If emailing, limit your message to three short paragraphs. Messages left after hours are still counted.
Our Shared Goal: Protecting children and strengthening public safety requires policies grounded in evidence, proportionality, and constitutional principles. After individuals have completed their sentences and supervision, successful reintegration—stable housing, employment, and family support—is one of the strongest predictors of long-term safety. Florida should invest in prevention, education, and focused law enforcement efforts that address real risks, rather than expanding exclusion zones that destabilize families and communities.
EMAIL ADDRESSES and PHONE NUMBERS
House Leadership
Speaker of the House: Speaker Danny Perez, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Next Speaker of the House: Rep. Garrison (Clay), [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5011
Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Wyman Duggan (Duval), [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5012
Majority Leader: Rep. Tyler Sirois, [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5031
Minority Leader: Rep. Fentrice Driskell (Hillsborough), [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5067
House Judicial Committee
Staff Director: [email protected]
Administrative Lead: [email protected]
Administrative Support: [email protected]
Chair Chuck Brannan: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5010
Vice Chair Webster Barnaby: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5029
Republican Party Whip David Borrero: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5111
Democratic Ranking Member Michael Gottlieb: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5102
Rep. Jon Albert: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5048
Rep. Danny Alvarez: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5069
Rep. Adam Anderson, [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5057
Rep. Bruce Antone, [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5041
Rep. Jessica Baker: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5017
Rep. Hillary Cassel: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5101
Rep. Kevin Chambliss: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5117
Rep. Dan Daley: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5096
Rep. Tom Fabricio: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5110
Rep. Dotie Joseph: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5108
Rep. Traci Koster: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5066
Rep. Johanna Lopez: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5043
Rep. Patt Maney: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5004
Rep. Rachel Plakon: [email protected], [email protected] 850-717-5036
Rep. Juan Carlos Porras: [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5119
Rep. Michelle Salzman: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], 850-717-5001
Rep. Kevin Steele: [email protected], [email protected] 850-717-5055
Senate criminal justice committee
Staff Director: Marti Harkness: [email protected] 850-487-5770 (updated phone number)
Chair Senator Jonathan Martin: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 850-487-5033
Vice Chair Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith: [email protected], [email protected], 850-487-5017
Senator Mack Bernard: [email protected], [email protected], 850-487-5024
Senator Jennifer Bradley: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], 850-487-5006
Senator IIeana Garcia: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], 850-487-5036
Senator Jason Pizzo: [email protected], [email protected], 850-487-5037
Senator Corey Simon: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], 850-487-5003
Senator Clay Yarborough: [email protected], [email protected], 850-487-5004
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Well I did my part. my statemen’t too long to share here plus it included screenshots of the Ft Lauderdale online map that shows the few places where folks can live.
Thanks Derek! If you look at the Ft. Lauderdale map, you’ll notice that the only places that are open are las olas isles, which are all on the intracoastal and will now be off limits.
I noticed that too.
As an aside, I noticed that under the Pembroke Pines map there is only like six or so houses that aren’t in the red, and a few patches of swamp. If that isn’t banishment I don’t know what it is.
Subject: Oppose HB 45 / SB 212 – Unconstitutional and Unnecessary Expansion of Residency Restrictions
Dear Senator / Representative and others,
I strongly oppose HB 45 and SB 212. These bills are unconstitutional, unnecessary, and contrary to the values of fairness and freedom our laws should protect.
Florida already has some of the harshest restrictions in the nation for those on the registry. Expanding them to include pools, beaches, and waterways would make it nearly impossible for many to find lawful housing or live with dignity. Sheriffs and public officials have a duty to protect the rights and quality of life of all citizens, including those who have completed their sentences. Government-imposed banishment defies both the Constitution and Human Rights decency.
Decades of research show residency restrictions and public shaming do not prevent new crimes or make communities safer. Most sex crimes are committed by people known to the victim — not by registrants. Studies also show registrants have among the lowest reoffense rates of any group, second only to those convicted of homicide.
The registry has become a sweeping net that lumps minor, non-violent, and victimless offenses with violent crimes. This is not justice — it’s fear-driven policy that destroys families, fuels homelessness, and punishes those trying to rebuild. Laws like HB 45 and SB 212 do not make Florida safer; they make it smaller, meaner, and less free.
I urge you to vote NO on HB 45 and SB 212. Uphold the Constitution, the evidence, and basic human fairness.
Respectfully,
name included on direct mail
Former Property Owner Deerfield Beach, FL
Veteran / Former GS Gov’t Worker / Grandparent
This is a long list.
This would take me over a month to get a letter out to all on this list. Is there more specific persons to send too? Also do you identify as a PFR. Or is it better not to?
I watched a City of Tampa meeting on line from 2023. with Bryanna Fox PHD from USF In Tampa Fl. She conducted research with Tom Loughran PHD and Jacqueline Burckley MA. and collaborated with the City of Tampa Police Dept and FDLE. which a study was done on Registery Restriction and SORNA. Is there anyway to get her or that Dept involved in this call to action? Please watch if you haven’t already. (She makes sense)
Bryanna Fox, PhD, Professor in the Department of Criminology, Co-Director of the Center for Justice Research & Policy.
Connie – thank you. We will reach out to Dr. Fox at USF.
I emailed almost everyone posted above and some of the emails got kicked back saying they don’t receive emails.
GM all, Sorry for what is about to be a long post.
For me it boils down to these 5 things:
1. Banishment: If this bill is passed it will force relocation of registrants current and cause those who’s offense occurred after 07/1/2026. Either way it amounts to Banishment. Banishment has been deemed punishment and unconstitutional by SCOTUS.
See Trop V Dulles 1958 ” – The Court stated that “banishment is a cruel and unusual punishment”, setting a precedent that extreme forms of exile violate constitutional protections. Making more than 80% of our state is extreme.
See Solem Vs Helm 1983 and Grahm V Florida 2010 both reinforce limits on excessive or isolating penalties. Under the 8th Amendment.
2. Beyond the Scope of the Registry: Adding in Pools and Bathing places is beyond the scope of the purpose of the registry: The registry is supposed to be used by Law Enforcement to track those with past sex offenses. It is not and was not designed as a “Blank Check”. ( Justice Neil Gorsuch) for additional overreach.
3. Overbroad and Overbearing: The Bill as written does not take into account of family relationships and ability to find other housing. Not only is the ex-offender being forced to move and or separate from their families, but it will also have an adverse effect on the spouse and children. For a bill that is supposed to protect children how much pain and suffering will it cause for children of Registrants.
4. Predictive Punishment: This bill is predictive punishment as it seeks to banish registrants for a possible future behavior. To ban registrants from living near a pool or public bathing place you are doing so in a predictive way. We have no way of knowing how many or if any would commit a future offense at a Pool or Public bathing place. SCOTUS has weighed in on this issue See Trop V Dulles, Packingham V North Carolina and Grim V US and applied the following when weighing its legal standing. a.) – Due Process: Restrictions must be based on clear standards and allow for challenge
b.) – Least Restrictive Means: Measures must be narrowly tailored to the risk. c.) – Non-Punitive Intent: Civil restrictions must not function as disguised punishment. d.) – Individualized Assessment: Blanket rules are disfavored; courts prefer case-by-case evaluations.
5. Punishment and Does not Protect Children. The above shows “punishment” and since we know that Between 1 and 7.5% of released Sex offenders will commit a new sex crime over the course of 25 years. The 2024 Date for Change study in Florida showed that only 1% of Sex offenders since 2020 have committed a new sex offense. This means 99% of sex offenses committed at pool or public bathing place will be committed by those not on the registry.
Just some feedback: It may be more helpful to place all email addresses in a list format for easier copy/pasting, as opposed to how it is formatted on the CTA now.
Remember that a mass mailing may result in your address being marked as spam
Mass emails are always flagged as spam. Just copy and paste the actual email and send them individually. You may be able to do 2 or 3 in the same group without it flagging.
Use the BCC so that each email in the batch looks like it was sent individually.
I was just thinking the exact same thing. I have all of Tallahassee‘s email addresses in a single note which makes it easy to copy and paste into the To field.
There are some real psychotic people in Tallahassee making these insane fictions they call “laws”. And I have to wonder if those pushing this through know that counties and cities will then extend that 1000 feet to 2000, 2500 feet or more. All they have to do is establish their usual 1000 feet and then let municipals run with that.
It truly is a sickness. Mentally impaired people cause harm to other people. Those people need some serious mental health help.
“The closer the collapse of an empire, the crazier its laws.”
-Marcus Tullius Cicero
Thank you FAC for this update AND complete information as to whom to contact. No excuses everyone. Contact your / all representatives! I intend to contact them all. For those who would rather call but are nervous about it…call after hours and leave a message. They listen to them.