FAC questions Vacation Rental Bill
Florida Bill Targets Sex Offenders Renting Vacation Properties
The Florida Action Committee will be circulating the following letter to all legislators in our State concerning the “Vacation Rental” bill that would impose ridiculous requirements on both registrants and owners of vacation rental properties.
The bill is the result of “knee-jerk” legislation that is proposed without any planning or forethought. In practice, it is impossible to comply with and imposes a significant burden on individuals, with the effect of banning registrants from vacation rentals.
Proposed Law Burdens Vacation Property Owners
Letter To LaRosa re Vacation Rentals 02262018
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How is this even enforcibile? If I rent a room from wherever, I’m not on a registry and I’m not going to be mentioning who else might e staying with me.
That would, unfortunately, be a felony.
(13) Any person who has reason to believe that a sexual offender is not complying, or has not complied, with the requirements of this section and who, with the intent to assist the sexual offender in eluding a law enforcement agency that is seeking to find the sexual offender to question the sexual offender about, or to arrest the sexual offender for, his or her noncompliance with the requirements of this section:
(b) Harbors, or attempts to harbor, or assists another person in harboring or attempting to harbor, the sexual offender; or
commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
Yes thanks again FAC for jumping on this! The more I read this Bill and it’s amendments along with the Senate bill it opens up all sorts of issues. This Bill is not pro business in any way nor does it protect anybody. The over restrictive laws today already provide protection. This nonsense is simply made to Shame and punish. I believe if the Hotels and Florida Lodging groups know all the details they are going to also revolt.
But, but our great governor is supposed to be all about bringing business to FL! You’re right, this bill is totally anti business. What a bunch of fruitcakes we got running this state!
@ Anonymous,
Strongly disagree with your contention that “The over restrictive laws today already provide protection.” They do no such thing. If anything, the only crimes the registry plays a role in prevention or identification are status offenses.
Before anyone mentions it, Donald Smith was the exception, not the rule.
Unfortunately it seems that the landlords etc. are so frightened by this kind of legislation they rarely revolt. They know that the majority of their patrons are people who believe they needed to be protected from the RSO lurking around the corner. I saw this fear factor first hand when the sheriffs dept (erroneously I might add) threatened my sons landlord with the rental law that exists now (for homes and apartments etc.) – what I saw was a once supportive landlord turn into a non-ally.
By the way How would a vacationer (sex Offender ) from another state even know about this statute, before entering the state, legally. They have no obligation to check Florida’s laws before they enter the state. This law could actually cause every guest to be questioned before a reservation was made. WoW what a great tourism commercial this would make
As with any law, the onus is upon the citizen to know of a law’s existence. We, especially, need to be careful when traveling to other locales so we don’t run afoul of their state and local ordinances. I’ll admit at times I’ve been flippant or careless or not as careful as I should be in this regard and have traveled to other places without looking into registry timelines, proximity ordinances, etc. Fortunately it hasn’t come up as an issue and I’m much more careful now with the proliferation of these feel good laws that vary from one town to the next.
EVERY RSO, former RSO, or someone that WOULD BE an RSO by any state they travel to HAS to be aware of the requirements of the state they are traveling to. In Florida and several other states it doesn’t matter if you’ve been released from registry or your past offense doesn’t qualify there but does here is subject to lifetime registration HERE. Or face a felony for failure to register and risk prison time. Stay here 5 nights (soon to be 3) and someone catches wind, you’re screwed.
The language of this bill is incredibly vague and fraught with potential pitfalls for us and the property owners.
It seems the bill is aimed at Predators, but the word Offender is used in several places. I’m not sure which sections apply and which don’t. It also only mentions a link to the FDLE website, which would presumably only locate Florida registrants. And if this covers hotels and roadside motels, how in the ever living hell would we ever be able to stop for the night at a Motel 6 when we are simply tired from driving? What a nightmare.
Great letter FAC.. Thank you
It’s becoming a full time occupation just responding to these ridiculous ideas brought forth by supposedly intelligent legislators. It’s getting close to the close of the session and some don’t want it to close without them being able to say they did something…even if the ‘something’ was equivalent to ‘nothing’.