Call To Action: Oppose Senate Bill 932
Senate Bill 932 is on the Agenda to go before the Criminal Justice Committee tomorrow 03/16/21 at 12:30 pm.
SB 932 prohibits a court from granting time-sharing with a minor child to a parent registered as a sexual offender or sexual predator. It literally says timesharing MAY NOT be given to a registrant parent unless a judge makes written finding that the parent poses no significant risk of harm to the child and that time-sharing is in the childâs best interest.
Anybody who has been through the family court system knows that never happens. In Florida we have elected judges who will not risk re-election by making such a written finding. Judges are also not qualified practitioners and therefore should not be making risk assessments, especially when it comes to the right to the fundamental right to raise one’s children. (Art. I., s. 23 of the Florida Constitution provides that parents have a fundamental liberty interest in determining the care and upbringing of their children.)
Plus, its unreasonable for someone on the registry who is likely already struggling financially because of unemployment or underemployment caused by the stigma, to now be forced to hire an attorney to fight for timesharing that is otherwise statutorily guaranteed to all other parents.
With more than 50% of marriages ending in divorce, there will be hundreds of thousands of children who will lose a wonderful parent because of this sick bill. We NEED to fight this one!
Please write or call the Senators on the Criminal Justice Committee and ask them to OPPOSE Senate Bill 932!
| Chair: Senator Jason W. B. Pizzo (D) | Pizzo.Jason.web@flsenate.gov | (850) 487-5038 |
| Vice Chair: Senator Jeff Brandes (R) | Brandes.Jeff.web@flsenate.gov | (850) 487-5024 |
| Senator Dennis Baxley (R) | Baxley.Dennis.web@flsenate.gov | (850) 487-5012 |
| Senator Jim Boyd (R) | Boyd.Jim.web@flsenate.gov | (850) 487-5021 |
| Senator George B. Gainer (R) | Gainer.George.web@flsenate.gov | (850) 487-5002 |
| Senator Keith Perry (R) | Perry.Keith.web@flsenate.gov | (850) 487-5008 |
| Senator Bobby Powell (D) | Powell.Bobby.web@flsenate.gov | (850) 487-5030 |
| Senator Annette Taddeo (D) | Taddeo.Annette.web@flsenate.gov | (850) 487-5040 |
Additionally, please fill out an Appearance Card, waiving appearance AGAINST SB932 and send it in to us. (see steps below)
- Print out an appearance card, which can be found here: https://www.flsenate.gov/UserContent/Committees/CommitteeAppearanceForm.pdf
- Fill out the card with your personal information. Make sure you fill out March 16, 2021 as the meeting date and SB932 as the Bill Number. Topic will be âMinor Time-sharing for Parent Convicted of a Specified Offenseâ. Check the box next to âWaive Speaking⊠Againstâ. Where it says âRepresentingâ write in âmyselfâ. For the last two questions select ânoâ. Complete both the top and bottom of the cards (one is duplicate)
- Collect these forms from as many supporters as possible.
- Scan and email the forms to membership@floridaactioncommittee.org and we will arrange to have them delivered to the Senate meeting.
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SB 932 still not amended and still not on Rules Committee agenda. Companion HB 141 [Committee Substitute] is on the Judiciary Committee agenda for 3/24/2021. Language has been changed to:
“The following evidence creates a rebuttable presumption of detriment to the child:
A parent has been convicted of or had adjudication withheld for an offense enumerated in s. 943.0435(1)(h)1.a.
A parent who has been convicted of or had adjudication withheld for an offense enumerated in s. 943.0435(1)(h)1.a. creates a presumption against time-sharing for the parent
The parent may rebut the presumption upon a specific finding in writing by the court that the parent poses no significant risk of harm to the child and that time-sharing is in the best interest of the child. If the presumption is rebutted, the court shall consider all time-sharing factors”
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=PCS%20for%20HB%20141.DOCX&DocumentType=Proposed%20Committee%20Bills%20(PCBs)&Session=2021&CommitteeId=3095
So a parent with a DUI/DWI conviction which has a recidivism rate of 60%-plus is allowed to interact with their children versus a person forced to register with less than 6% recidivism rate is NOT ALLOWED TO BE WITH THEIR CHILD
The only thing I know is that MATH DOES NOT LIE!!! And the Legislators are the liars!
The only positive thing I saw in that brief time is not seeing the Books or Barney Bishop, and it seems one senator is concerned about blanket bans.
On the bright side, Vice Chair Brandes states that he doesn’t want a blanked barring, but wants an amendment to allow the judge to review the case before the time-sharing case is in open court, if I understand correctly. Sponsor Wright and Chair Pizzo agreed.
On a darker note, appearance cards were acknowledged, but NOT read. Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 7 NAYS 0 in about 6 minutes.
We’ll have to see if the amendment happens before the bill’s last stop, Rules Committee [not yet on agenda].