On the same day (2/4/2020) we updated the legislative update page, HB 1055 was changed (gutted) to remove all language offering relief for out-of-state “sex offenders” hoping to be removed from Florida’s registry.This action was taken on 2/3/2020 by the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and approved in a 12-0 vote on their committee substituted bill.
http://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2020/1055/?Tab=BillHistory
The language still survives in the senate companion bill SB 1552, but the senate’s Criminal Justice Committee will discuss that bill on this coming Tuesday 2/11/2020 at 10:00 a.m. We DO NOT want them to strike the relief language.
http://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2020/1552/?Tab=BillHistory
PLEASE Call your Senator and all members of the Criminal Justice Committee (See below) and tell them NOT to remove the relief language from the Bill. Also, please see (and share if you want) the letter from FAC to the sponsor.
Here are the members of the CJ committee:
Chair: Senator Keith Perry (R)
Vice Chair: Senator Jeff Brandes (R)
Senator Randolph Bracy (D)
Senator Anitere Flores (R)
Senator Jason W. B. Pizzo (D)
Bill relief language seems to have survived intact, even with Amendment 1, but new CS bill has not yet been published. Bill was talked about and approved 5-0 for in less than 3 minutes (starts @36:20 and ends @38:51). No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to the bill.
http://flsenate.gov/media/videoplayer?EventID=2443575804_2020021124
@Al in Jax, read lines 440-499 of SB 1552. This is the relief language for out-of-state registrants.
http://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2020/1552/BillText/Filed/HTML
We are concerned this section will be taken out as it was in HB 1055. If that happens, out-of-state registrants will continue to remain on Floriduh’s registry for life, as they do now under the current law.
I could not find the text related to relief for those convicted in other states who want off florida’s registry. For out of state advocacy, what point should I be making when calling? Appreciate any advice so I can call.
Like JM said, it doesn’t mention a word about out of state relief.
All – the out-of-state relief was NOT removed from the Senate Bill (SB 1552), only the House Version.
If anyone wants to post a copy of what they sent to share with others, I’m sure it would be very welcome and helpful.
Thank you.
Just proves that Florida truly is a prison state, and has no intention of ever changing the fact of the matter.
I am not a lawyer and in many ways not well versed in law, but I can read and i think i noticed the following:
I am reading the SB 1552 and I am seeing what seems to be omission of terms, contradiction in requirements. Specifically concerning SP designated person; I see in 775.21 Line 249, Line 263, there is both a requirement for reporting in person at the Sheriffs office and then the following paragraphs offers an on line option. Both paragraphs show requirements, not an either or option.
945.0435 Line 356 and Line 369 offer contradictory direction. One directs the offender to use either the online registry or in person, while the other directs in person registration.
It looks confusing as hell and I did not see specifically where the out of state registrants are excluded from relief.
Any help getting this clarified would be great. AL
Letter doesnt mention the out of state issue: is there another one?
@jm This is the same thing I am wonder as well.
@Jm, good point!
FAC, what say you?
IMHO, the out-of-state relief language will benefit many times more people than clarification of emergency travel.
I have to register here in the state of Nebraska because law here states that I have to register as long as the state of Florida sentenced me to register for. I find this requirement not just due to there being shorter register requirements here where I have my permanent residence. I can’t register for a shorter period of time here because I moved here from the state of florida that doesnt have any length of registration time other than for an individuals lifetime. 😞
Man, I have run into the same problem as a registered citizen out of Florida. I live in Pennsylvania, have for over 30 years. I was convicted in Florida in 1988, then moved to PA. Originally I was to register once a year for 10 years. Then SORNA came along, I went from a 10 year registration once a year to a lifetime registration reporting 4 times a year. Pennsylvania has made some positive changes in their laws over the past couple of years. I was hoping to get off of the registry here, but because Florida has a lifetime registration, I have to register here for life, but only once a year now. I knew that this would happen because the state is going to go with the higher registration time. Talked to a couple different attorneys here in PA and they can’t do anything. The whole thing from day one has been so bizarre it’s unreal! No one me seems to know what’s going on, not even the legislator’s that write the legislation. Let alone the attorneys, everyone is left scratching their heads saying WTF!!
May I add that I am very grateful for having to only register once a year, from having to register 4 times a year. It would not matter much even if I was off the registry in PA. Florida has my profile on Google, so the only benefit I would have is not having to register. The only thing anyone can do is to somehow be able to get off the registry in Florida. That is the only way anyone will get off the registry. Then you get off the Florida registry, what’s to stop the state you live in from putting you on their registry?? The whole thing is just a screwed up mess! Hope that things turn around here someday soon? But it doesn’t look promising. Some days I think that the only way I’m going to get off the registry is when I’m 6’ under. Then Florida will still have me on their registry even after I’m gone…LOL!
I register 4 times a year here in Nebraska.
These people will do ANYTHING to keep the numbers artificially inflated proving that the registry is NOT intended to be used to protect children (or anyone) and that it is just to create a bloated and ever growing list!
If they truly were interested in protecting children they would want the list to contain ONLY those who are living in the state.
Make no mistake about it – Florida government and those in it like Senator Lauren Book have ZERO interest in children and 100% interest in manipulating the public with lies (with no regard of the lives they destroy) simply to create fear for their own benefit!
If there was a hell (there isn’t) you can bet that Senator Lauren Book has a reservation with her name on it!
S O Truth…
So, since the ‘Numbers’ are Artificially Inflated, the JAG Monies that are ‘awarded’ to the various State Jurisdictions such as FLORI-DUH, on an annual basis, would imply that FLORI-DUH’s Legislators, Law Makers, Law Enforcement Officers, Judges and Prosecutors are FLEECING the American Public…That would imply that all of the aforementioned are Aiding and Abeiting in Criminal Activity….would it not?!?!?!?!?…79K versus the real number of 39K-Plus or minus….HUMMMMMM….
So if you have Florida Conviction and move out of state you can’t get removed from florida after the 20 yr mark?
@joseph, if your offense was committed prior to July 1, 2007, you fall under the 20-year rule. You may beg to be removed 20 years after your probation ended, providing you have not been ARRESTED for ANY felony or MISDEMEANOR since then.
Just dont get how an arrest with no charges filed or pursued can eliminate me?
Unfortunately Jm, that is the way the law is written. If you were arrested and charges were dropped, case was dismissed…etc. that can ruin your chances for getting removed from the registry. I know, it isn’t fair, but that is how the law is written. Basically to try and eliminate anyone from getting off the registry!
That’s something the legislature should amend.
So im having a penalty imposed where the state decided i was not in violation and not pursue it. No charges filed and i get hot with this held against me?
If you are otherwise eligible to petition, contact [email protected]
Arrest with no conviction has no effect on your ability to petition out. That’s not what the statute says. The arrest must be for a felony or misdemeanor.
Incorrect.
Yes, but in the meantime the judiciary is helping.
The case out of Hillsborough where the registrants petition was actually granted had an arrest after the registrable offense. Actually it was a registry violation.
Contrary to the statutory language, the judge who now sits on a federal bench, granted to petition.