With Unity Comes Change
Joliet City Council members unanimously voted Tuesday night to buy a house, with plans demolish it and turn the land into a park — a tactic they hope will legally allow them to force out convicted sex offenders who are living in an apartment building nearby. The move has drawn the ire of the company that houses the sex offenders
Read moreThe recording of the oral argument that took place this past Friday before a panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in the Ex Post Facto Plus lawsuit (Does v. Swearingen) on appeal from the Southern District of Florida is now available. You can listen to the recording below. Once you have listened to the argument, please share your
Read moreIn this week’s update, we sent out a plea to help an elderly man in South Florida find a stable home so that he can receive medical treatment for prostate cancer. He is only one example of those struggling to survive due to residency restrictions, especially when they have family waiting with open arms to welcome them into their homes.
Read moreIn 2016, producers David Feige and Rebecca Richman Cohen released the documentary “Untouchable” and it continues to be one of the most powerful films that chronicles the origin of why we have such harsh laws today for sexual offenses. The documentary, which is described in the review below, aims to “recognize the many shades of sex crimes and seeks a better
Read moreThe Senate Friday took up and unanimously passed Sen. Linda Stewart’s “Miya’s Law” (SB 898) for the second time, this time with a late amendment message from the House that calls for a ban of rent-by-the-hour hotel and motel rooms. “Miya’s Law” would require apartment owners to conduct criminal background checks on employees who could enter apartments.
Read moreClick here for printable Call-to-Action. Contains Senate Committee contact information, talking points, and instructions for your call to action on SB 1732. In Summary, SB 1732: Creates new statute 83.555 “Landlord immunity from liability for leasing to persons with certain criminal records.” While this bill was intended to encourage landlords to rent to persons with past criminal offense, it appears
Read moreYesterday, Senator Ed Hooper filed SB 1932, which is a 100+ page bill making significant changes to the registry. We have not gone through the bill yet, but one glaring and very concerning change is that the State makes it more difficult to petition for removal and now requires that FDLE be noticed on every petition and FDLE plus the
Read moreThe holiday season is often a time for family gatherings, and while many will be preparing for reunions in the coming days, it is important to remember the roadblocks returning citizens face. For instance, background checks cause thousands of potential collateral consequences that can impact things like housing or employment. I can’t get time back, but our system must be
Read moreGuest speaker on the Monthly Membership call (6/3/2021) was Dr. Alissa R. Ackerman, Assistant Professor in the Division of Politics, Administration and Justice at California State University, Fullerton. You can hear the entire presentation here. Dr. Ackerman is internationally recognized for her contributions in the field and her innovative approach that has helped hundreds of people on their path towards
Read moreSenate Bill 932 is on the Agenda to go before the Rules Committee tomorrow 04/06/21 at 9:30 am. We are calling on all members to contact the members of the Senate Rules Committee by calling and emailing them via the information below, and asking them to OPPOSE SB 932. Please remember to be polite and professional. Remember, they were not
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