Dear Members and Advocates,

On July 27, 2006, President George W. Bush signed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act into law. Named after a six-year-old Florida boy, whose abduction and murder shocked the nation, the Act promised to protect children from people convicted of sex offenses. Few pieces of legislation have enjoyed such broad bipartisan support or generated such high public expectations.

Twenty years later, it is time to ask the question few lawmakers have been willing to ask: Has the Adam Walsh Act accomplished what it promised? The answer, based on two decades of experience and a growing body of scientific research, is NO!

No one questions the tragedy. Adam’s murder was horrific, and every parent shares John and Revé Walsh’s desire to spare another family from such unimaginable pain. But honoring Adam’s memory does not require defending a law that does more harm than good. There are better ways to remember Adam.

The Adam Walsh Act created the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), establishing federal standards for state registries and pressuring states to expand registration requirements through the threat of losing federal funding. The Act shifted the nation’s focus away from individualized assessments and toward offense-based classifications. Rather than asking whether a particular person presented a risk to the community, the law increasingly assumed that everyone convicted of certain offenses should be treated the same. Over the next twenty years, many states – especially Florida – went even further. Registration periods became longer. Public notification expanded. Residency restrictions multiplied. Presence restrictions followed. Reporting requirements became more burdensome. Reporting times shortened. Entire families became collateral damage.

Today, nearly a million Americans appear on sex offender registries. The majority have remained offense-free for decades, yet continue to report to law enforcement, disclose personal information, and live under restrictions that often bear little relationship to their actual risk.  At Florida Action Committee, we don’t need to imagine the consequences of these policies. We hear them every day.

We hear from fathers prevented from attending their children’s school functions, unable to live with their family because a nearby park makes the residence off-limits, individuals sleeping under bridges or in parking lots because residency restrictions leave them nowhere else to go, parents forced to choose between complying with the law and remaining part of their children’s lives, people denied jobs despite decades of lawful living, people afraid to travel because every jurisdiction has different rules, families living in constant fear that an unintentional mistake could result in another felony, and the unintentional mistakes or arbitrary law enforcement actions that led to those additional felonies.

These stories are not isolated, and we question whether they are actually unintended consequences. They are the predictable result of policies that have expanded year after year without regard for whether they actually improve public safety.

Florida’s own Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) report documenting that homelessness among registrants has reached staggering levels in South Florida. In Miami-Dade County, approximately 31 percent of registrants were reported homeless. In Broward County, that number exceeded one-third of the registered population. No serious public safety expert would argue that homelessness makes communities safer. Yet many laws enacted in the wake of the Adam Walsh Act undermine every one of those protective factors and twenty years of research shows that.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Adam Walsh Act’s twentieth anniversary is that we no longer need to speculate about its effectiveness. The research has been conducted. Again. And again. And again. FAC has spent years sharing studies from respected researchers across the country. While individual studies differ in methodology, one conclusion appears repeatedly: Broad public registries and blanket restrictions have shown little evidence of reducing sexual reoffending. Residency restrictions do not prevent sexual abuse because children are overwhelmingly victimized by someone they know. Not by strangers living nearby. We have shared research showing that risk varies tremendously among individuals and declines over time (even for the most high-risk offenders), making lifetime restrictions inconsistent with modern risk science.

On the flip side, we have highlighted studies showing that stable housing, employment, treatment, and community support are among the strongest predictors of successful reintegration. We have shared research documenting the extremely low recidivism rates among many categories of registrants, while laws continue to impose identical restrictions regardless of demonstrated risk. And we have not only shared this research with you, we’ve shared it with nearly every lawmaker, from the federal level, to the state, to the county, all the way down to each municipality. We have met with lawmakers, we have testified before committee meetings, we have even spoken before the United Nations. In some cases we’ve chipped away at horrible bills or were successful in preventing their passage – which is still a huge accomplishment – but to date we’ve not been successful in getting lawmakers to roll back ineffective laws, absent bringing a lawsuit. Unfortunately, that’s what it takes – unfortunately that’s where we’re heading again.

Sexual abuse is a serious problem, and FAC’s mission should never be confused with condoning or excusing it. By pointing out that the Adam Walsh Act is a miserably failed policy is in no way seeking to disparage his legacy or mitigate the tragedy. To the contrary, Adam’s legacy should be honored with strategies that reduce harm. If twenty years of studies consistently questioned the effectiveness of any policy, lawmakers would question it. But because this Act is tied to the Walsh name and a horrific event, registry laws have largely become politically untouchable. That does not make them effective in protecting children – it just makes them immune from scrutiny.

Years ago, FAC has taken the position that the Adam Walsh Act needs to be repealed. Nothing about that position is intended to diminish Adam’s memory. If anything, we are demanding that we honor it more thoughtfully. Imagine if the billions spent maintaining and enforcing ever-expanding useless registries had instead been invested in preventing child sexual abuse before it occurred. Imagine universal prevention education. Greater access to mental health services. Improved victim support. Evidence-based treatment programs. Resources for families in crisis. Investigators focused on active threats (not technical violations). Validated risk assessment tools directing attention toward those who genuinely pose the greatest danger while allowing low risk individuals to further reduce their risk by re-integrating successfully. Those approaches may not generate political headlines. But they save children.

Twenty years is enough time to evaluate any public policy honestly. The Adam Walsh Act has produced one of the largest systems of perpetual punishment in American history and has expanded government surveillance over hundreds of thousands of people long after they completed their criminal sentences. It has destabilized families. Created homelessness. Destroyed any opportunity to support oneself and one’s family. Subjected innocent spouses and children to stigma. And it consumed enormous public resources and exposes governments to repeated lawsuits without ever delivering the public safety benefits that were promised.

We can honor Adam Walsh without clinging to policies that have failed to protect children as promised. The greatest tribute we can pay to Adam is not to preserve a failed system because it bears his name. It is to build one that actually protects children. Twenty years later, America owes Adam – and every child – nothing less.

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee.

We are weeks away from filing our historic legal challenge to the Florida registry. Please donate to our General Legal Fund to help support this lawsuit.

The post FAC Weekly Update 2026-07-28–Twenty Years Later: The Adam Walsh Act’s Legacy appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

First and foremost, remember this:
FAC is not a law firm, and FAC does not provide legal advice.

We do our best to educate, inform, and advocate, but if you are ever arrested or accused of violating registration requirements, saying, “FAC told me I didn’t have to report it” or “I read on the FAC website that I didn’t need to report it” will not carry any weight with law enforcement, prosecutors, or the courts.

Another reality is that Florida’s registration laws are often interpreted inconsistently from one jurisdiction to another. What one registration office says may differ from another. Unfortunately, many violations occur not because someone intended to break the law, but because they misunderstood what was required.

That’s why our advice is simple:
If you have any doubt whatsoever about whether something must be reported, ask an authority. We know not everyone can afford to have an attorney write an opinion letter every time you have a question, but it costs absolutely nothing to ask the FDLE, local law enforcement, (or if you are on probation, your PO).

And most importantly, document everything.

If you receive guidance:
– Ask for the response in writing whenever possible.
– Save emails and correspondence.
– If the response is provided over the phone or in person, write down: The name of the person you spoke with, Their title or agency, The date and time of the conversation, What you were told.

Maintaining a paper trail can be invaluable if questions ever arise later.

Even better, if the issue is still unclear, use the Declaratory Statement Request Template that FAC previously provided. We share these resources so that you will have the tools to protect yourself. A declaratory statement can help obtain an official written interpretation regarding your specific circumstances.

You can find the contact information for the registration office in your county here.

You can contact FDLE’s Offender Registry Services Bureau at:
Offender Registry Services Bureau
Post Office Box 1489
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1489
Telephone: 1-888-357-7332 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST)
Email: sexpred@fdle.state.fl.us

When it comes to registration compliance, it is always better to ask one question too many than one question too few.

The post A Reminder About Reporting Requirements: When in Doubt, Ask appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

Over the past several years, FAC has expanded tremendously. We keep initiating more legal challenges, increasing our advocacy efforts in Tallahassee and beyond, and have become a stronger voice for registrants, their families, and supporters across Florida. But with that growth comes an increased need for dedicated leaders who can help move our mission forward.

We are currently seeking nominations for our Board of Directors.

As FAC continues to expand, we need more face time with legislators, more community outreach, and more people willing to step into leadership roles. We are especially looking for “new blood” — individuals who are comfortable with social media, technology, online advocacy, and modern communication platforms that can help us continue reaching and engaging more people. We are also looking for individuals with professional experience and specialized skill sets that can strengthen the organization, including attorneys, accountants, finance professionals, lobbyists, communications professionals, and others with relevant expertise.

Ideal candidates should have leadership, management, or organizational experience, the time to commit to Board responsibilities, including a monthly Board of Directors call and participation on at least one committee, and be passionate about FAC’s mission and committed to advocacy and reform.

Unfortunately, due to the sensitivity and confidentiality of our members, litigation and legislative strategy, individuals currently on probation with computer monitoring or internet restrictions are ineligible for consideration.

If you are interested in serving, or would like to nominate someone you believe would be a strong addition to the Board, please contact info@floridaactioncommittee.org.

The post Are You Interested in Joining the FAC Board of Directors? appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

According to a newly released affidavit, a Brevard County, FL man is accused of killing another man—specifically because he was on the sex offender registry.

The victim, had been reported missing. What police later uncovered was something out of a nightmare: dismembered human remains stuffed into suitcases and dumped in a remote area. But the most disturbing part isn’t just the brutality, it’s the motive.

Investigators say the suspect allegedly identified the victim as a registered sex offender and decided to act.

This is where we need to stop pretending this registry is harmless or not punishment! That’s Bullshit! This is exactly what happens when you take a massive, public, one-size-fits-all registry and turn human beings into permanent targets. This is not “informing the public.” This is creating a hit list. A list with our names, pictures, addresses where our own wives and children live, that angry, unstable, self-righteous vigilantes can use as a roadmap. How many more have to be killed before you realize this?

If you are reading this, sitting around quietly and hoping you’re not next isn’t a strategy.

Start speaking out loudly about the real dangers of public registries. Push for elimination of this useless system that paint targets on people’s backs. Demand that policymakers acknowledge the unintended consequences of what they’ve built, and refuse to be treated as disposable! Because if this can happen to one person on the registry, it can happen to you!

Our work isn’t about defending crime. This is about defending human beings who have already served their sentences and their families from becoming acceptable collateral damage.

WAKE UP PEOPLE AND DO SOMETHING!!! I expect to see our comments FULL of reports that people have contacted their legislators and local news outlets.

Lucas Jones

The post ENOUGH!!! Suspect said he killed Brevard County man ‘because he was a sex offender’. Had list of others to target. appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

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The post Support the Mission – It Takes Just One Click!!! appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

The current state mandated 1,000 ft residency restrictions from schools, playgrounds, childcare centers, and parks continue to apply.

Effective July 1, 2026:
Swimming Pool residency ban: Registrants with specified offenses involving those less than 16 years old which offense occurred on or after July 1, 2026 – may not live within 1,000 ft of public swimming pools. Registrants whose offense was between Oct 1, 2004 (May 26, 2010 out of state offense) and before July 1, 2026 may stay in their residences BUT when they change their permanent residence they must comply with the 1,000 ft public swimming pool restriction. This residency ban is retroactive when a person moves from their permanent residence.

Registrants whose crimes occur on or after July 1, 2026 and who are on conditional release, probation or community control with specified offenses involving those less than 18 years old may not live within 1,000 ft of a public swimming pool, park, playground, school or childcare facility beginning July 1, 2026. The Florida Dept. of Corrections will provide further guidance which we will share as soon as it is available.

The specific language in the bill states, “”Public swimming pool” means a structure which is located either indoors or outdoors and used for recreational bathing or swimming by humans. The term includes a conventional pool, spa-type pool, wading pool, special purpose pool, spray pool, splash pad, or other water recreation attraction, to which admission may be gained with or without payment of a fee, regardless of whether entry to the swimming pool is limited by a gate or other method of controlling access. The term includes swimming pools operated by or serving subdivisions, apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks, or townhouses, or any pool operated by a governmental entity which is held open to the public. The term does not include a swimming pool at a private single-family residence, hotel, motel, or recreational vehicle park or a swimming pool where the operator prohibits the use of such pool by persons younger than 18 years of age.”

Loitering and Prowling: Changes the loitering and prowling prohibition from within 300 feet to within 500 feet of a place where children congregate. Warrantless arrests are now authorized.

This bill changes knowingly approaching with intent to communicate with sexual intent to any contact/communication/approach with a person younger than 18 years old in a park, playground or a recreational swimming pool. Family members are excluded. Only two types of recreational swimming pools are excluded: private single-family residences and facilities where persons younger than 18 are prohibited. This change is retroactive.

It remains legal to go to a park, playground, and swimming pool but registrants cannot communicate with minors, except their own children, in these locations. Contacting, communicating, approaching one’s family and household members younger than 18 years old are excluded.

Registrants whose crime occurred on or after July 1, 2026 and who are on conditional release, probation or community control with specified offenses involving those less than 18 years old – may not visit a public swimming pool without prior approval from supervising officer and may not work at a public swimming pool.

Written notification of Conviction: Persons with specified offenses may not be on the premises or property of a child care facility or school when it is in operation. Parents, grandparents and legal guardians may go to a child care facility or school with written notification of sexual offense conviction to the school board, principal, or owner and notification of when they intend to be present at the school/child care facility.
Retroactive: This notification change applies to all specified offenders – it does not matter when the offense occurred.
Excluded from notification: Parents, grandparents and legal guardians who are dropping off or picking up his/her child or grandchild at the childcare facility or school.
Registrants may be on the premises solely to attend a religious service.

The post NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRANT RESTRICTION CHANGES appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

The Florida Action Committee is organizing a lawsuit to challenge the recently enacted Putnam County Sex Offender Ordinance.

If you are impacted by the ordinance, whether you currently live in Putnam (you don’t have to currently live in Putnam), are considering or have ever previously considered moving to Putnam, have been denied an address in Putnam, have family in Putnam, or otherwise would be subject to this ordinance and would consider being named as one of the plaintiffs in this lawsuit, please contact legal@floridaactioncommittee.org NOW with your full name, telephone number, and a brief description of how the Putnam Ordinance affects you.

The post Putnam County Challenge Coming appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

At FAC, we believe informed citizens should participate in civic discussions, especially when the subject directly affects our community and the principles of constitutional rights, proportional justice, and equal access to the political process. If we want balanced conversations and thoughtful decision-making, we have to show up and be counted. Polls like this influence how media frames the issue and how lawmakers interpret public sentiment.

We encourage you to take a moment to cast your vote and then share the link so others can do the same. Let’s make sure our perspective is represented.

You can register your vote here: https://kmph.com/news/fox26-news-poll/vote-should-someone-who-is-a-registered-sex-offender-be-allowed-to-run-for-public-office

The post Register your vote: Should a registrant be allowed to run for political office? appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

Last month, for example, we posted the News4 Jacksonville story on the Putnam Ordinance. We asked our members to “Please Comment on the Article.” The result? We received 38 thoughtful comments on our own site — but the original News4 Jacksonville story received only 4 comments total! It gives the public the appearance that nobody is bothered by the Ordinance, when nothing could be farther from the truth.

Don’t get us wrong: we value the conversations that happen on the FAC website. It’s encouraging, it’s educational, and it builds community. But when we only post here, we are preaching to the choir. We’re sharing our ideas with people who already agree with us.

If we want to change hearts and minds, we must go beyond our circle. That means posting directly on the source articles — where the general public, reporters, lawmakers, and community leaders are actually reading. Every comment left there helps balance the narrative, counters misinformation, and shows the public that registrants and their families are human beings with valid voices.

So here’s our ask: the next time you see a link to a news story on our site, don’t just comment here — click through and leave your comment on the original article. Even a short, respectful message makes a difference. That’s how we influence the broader conversation and push back against the stigma.

Let’s not just talk to each other. Let’s make sure the public hears us too.

And here are some comment tips:

Be respectful. Avoid insults or anger—it shuts people down.

Stay on message. Focus on liberty, fairness, effectiveness, and human impact. If you write about how punishing the laws are, people won’t care. They want us to be punished. But if you point out how ineffective and a waste of resources they are, people will be receptive.

Share your perspective. Personal experiences (yours or your family’s) make the issue real. Don’t be afraid to give your real-world examples of how the registry has prevented you from gaining employment, supporting your children, caring for elderly parents, putting a roof over your children’s head, etc.

Use facts. Cite research, court rulings, or real-world examples when you can. There is a wealth of scientific and legal research out there that you can cite to or link to. Make sure that you back up your facts with the research.

Keep it short. Most people won’t read long posts, so make your point clearly and concisely. I’ll leave it at that.

End with hope. Remind readers that reform is possible and benefits everyone. We all want our communities to be safer, registries do not make them so.

The post Why Your Comments Matter Most on the Source Articles appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).