FAC Weekly Update 2026-05-26-Ten Things You Can Do To Make a Difference
Weekly update for May 26, 2026. This is recording number 372
Dear Members and Advocates,
2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year for FAC – and for all of you. We started a charitable (501(c)(3)) foundation to support our mission, we launched a couple lawsuits to challenge ordinances, we retained a powerhouse law firm to take on the registry, we had a successful effort in Tallahassee preventing what would have been a disastrous session, we expanded our outreach into social media, we’ve grown our membership, and we’re only 5 months into the year!
Every week, we hear from people who ask, “What can I do to help?” or we don’t hear from you because you don’t know where to begin. The truth is that real change can only happen when all elements come together; education, legislation and litigation and when all of us come together. Change happens when people stop sitting on the sidelines waiting for something to happen and do something to make it happen. Here are 10 meaningful things you can do right now to help push for reform.
1 Contact Your Legislators
One phone call or email may not seem like much, but legislators pay attention when constituents consistently speak up. Share your story, explain how registry laws impact families, housing, employment, and public safety, and ask for meaningful reform. The more lawmakers hear from real people, the harder it becomes to ignore the human consequences of these laws. Even if nothing is pending, stay in touch with your representatives in Tallahassee and Washington and keep reminding them the registry is harmful.
2. Attend Local Government Meetings
City councils, county commissions, and even school boards often discuss ordinances and policies that directly impact registrants and their families. Showing up matters. Even if you do not say anything more than you oppose the ordinance, your presence demonstrates that affected families are watching and engaged. When people respectfully tell their stories in public meetings, perceptions begin to change.
3. Support Litigation Efforts
Court challenges are one of the few ways harmful laws get overturned. FAC is actively involved in major legal challenges because rights are rarely restored voluntarily by politicians. Litigation is expensive, time-consuming, and necessary. Whether through personal donations or assisting with our fundraising efforts, every bit of support strengthens these efforts. You can donate to our General Legal Fund by clicking here or contact us to make a tax deductible contribution.
4. Share Your Story
For decades, fear and stigma have kept people silent. That silence allows lawmakers and media narratives to define who registrants are without hearing from actual people and families affected. Personal stories are powerful. They help the public understand that these laws impact parents, spouses, children, veterans, workers, and entire families – not just headlines or labels. When the public hears your stories, it humanizes the registry.
5. Help FAC Grow on Social Media
Public perception is shaped online more than ever before. Every time you share a FAC post, comment, or engage with content, you help expand our reach. Social media is one of the most effective tools we have to educate the public, counter misinformation, and bring new supporters into the movement. You can follow and share FAC on social media here.
6. Volunteer Your Skills
FAC needs more than just donations. We need people with professional experience and practical skills. Attorneys, accountants, writers, graphic designers, researchers, organizers, IT professionals, lobbyists, and volunteers of all kinds can make a major impact. Everyone has something valuable to contribute, and it costs you nothing but time. We are actively recruiting new members for our Board of Directors to help manage our growth. If you or someone you know would be a good fit, read more here.
7. Educate Friends and Family
Many people support registry laws simply because they have never been exposed to the facts. Calm, informed conversations can change minds. Explain how residency restrictions increase homelessness, how public registries fail to improve safety, and how endless punishment harms families and communities. Education is one of the strongest tools for reform and we can give you all the resources you need to brush up.
8. Support Others in our Population
Many people impacted by these laws feel isolated and hopeless. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is help another person stay encouraged and connected. Offer guidance, share resources, answer questions, and remind others they are not alone. FAC fields literally hundreds of calls, emails and letters each month from people who are lost and struggling like you once were. If you’re surviving, you’re better equipped to be of use to someone than ever. Strong communities are built through mutual support.
9. Stay Informed and Involved
New laws, court decisions, and enforcement actions happen constantly. Staying informed allows you to respond quickly and effectively. Read FAC updates, follow legislative developments, and pay attention to what is happening. An informed community is far harder to silence or ignore, and by staying on top of the laws and the research, it will make your outreach efforts more effective. If you are not receiving automated emails from us every time something new is posted, contact us and ask to be added to the mailing list.
10. Refuse to Give Up
Meaningful reform takes time. Many of the rights people enjoy today came only after years—or decades—of persistence. There will be setbacks, disappointments, and frustrations along the way. But progress only happens when people continue pushing forward, even when the process feels slow. Every conversation, every lawsuit, every meeting, and every voice contributes to long-term change. Even if you pick only one or two items on this list to accomplish today, take that first step. It’ll make the ones that follow easier.
FAC continues to grow because people like you are refusing to remain silent. Together, we are building a stronger movement, challenging harmful laws, and fighting for fairness, dignity, and constitutional rights. Thank you to everyone who continues standing with us.
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee
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FAC-3. Thank you so much for the clear answer. I always appreciate you and this group. I only talk to about 5 people at the gym. The guys at the desk over 18, the bald banker way over 18, My grumpy old guy over 65, my Portuguese buddy over 65 and the guy from work two nights a week with him.
Easy way to do it. Put your ear buds in before you go in the gym. LOL Rock out the 80’s Mix and keep it moving.
Looking forward to the Law Suit. Do you know if they will be able to file an injunction before July 1?
Lets talk something more like this..entrapment if a enemy wants to follow you and watch your ever move. Let’s say you travel to a location under 500 feet and they take pictures to entrap you. Or not saying everyone authority figure is like this but a officer does not like you so set you up like a neighbor of mine has going on.
Are you referring to an incident that resulted in arrest?
Like, do we know of an incident in which a concerned citizen, or overzealous officer, stalked a registrant until they crossed a line into a restricted area?
Because my advice to such concerned citizen or officer would be to get a life, find a hobby, etc.
My ex wife sister. Lol wants to hurt her sister and knows I’m on registry. She has been know to pass by my place take pictures, keep track of days cars are at my house, and also tries other things.
Making sure if gym has a pool the terminology is what I think referring too. Got to make sure in florida
Good morning FAC and Others,
As we all know SB212 is about to go into effect on July 1st. It will be interesting to see how the local SPOT’s handle notification to its registrants. I was wondering if we could just get some final clarification of the law? Here are my questions below.
1. Is it ok for registrants to go to public and private parks?
2. Is it ok for registrants to stay at hotels, motels, time shares and RV parks?
3. Is it ok for registrants to workout at Gyms like Crunch Fitness, Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Etc?
4. If 1-3 are answered “yes” what is the policy governing each location as I am still a bit confused on the “Loitering and Prowling” Aspect and the “Contact” aspect.
5. In re to number 3 would the gyms mentioned above be exempt from the law as they are members only?
6. For pre-2004 registrants are there any new residency restrictions or are we free to move if we want?
I know this has probably been asked and answered but thought a final review before effective date would be good. Also is there going to be any type of injunction filed before the effective date?
Have a happy Sunday.
Would love clarification as well thank you please
I don’t recall any state ban on gym attendance, hotel stays, or presence in a park. What are you looking at?
I never said there was a ban. I was only seeking clarifications. Mainly on the gym issue. I dont go to Parks and I would not use a pool at a hotel motel rv park anyway. My clarification is this Scenario. If your gym has a Pool. And you are outside the pool area working out and someone asks you if you are almost done, using this piece of equipment etc. Can you answer them? or do we stand there like a deaf mute?
Tearful, The proximity ordinance makes it illegal to “knowingly approach, contact, or communicate with, or approach with the intent to contact or communicate with a person younger than child under 18 years of age in any public park building or on real property comprising any public park, or playground, or public swimming pool.”
This is not legal advise, but if they are under 18 a best practice would, in fact, be to stand there like a deaf mute or walk away. This way there’s no communicating. It’s ridiculous, but it is what it is and it’s why we’re bringing a lawsuit.
For others who have requested clarity on the changes. There’s that, plus, F.S. § 775.215 is amended by, among other things, adding a new prohibition on residence by certain registered sex offenders within 1,000 feet of a “public swimming pool.” Public swimming pools are defined to include those “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.”
If you are living there already, you don’t need to move, but if you move, you’re subject to the new law. How it impacts pre-2004 offenders is still unclear. We believe that if someone is not subject to the existing SORR because they are pre-2004 this provision does not apply to them in any form, but it’s vague and we will find out (hopefully) through the lawsuit.
As far as who is supposed to inform the 90,000 registrants in Florida of the new law and it’s application. It should be the FDLE. Whether they will or won’t do that is another matter.
For members of FAC and those receiving our updates, you know the law changed. Best practice… Avoid people under 18 within 500 feet of these places and verify your prospective residence before moving. How you know whether an individual is 17 or 19, or how you determine if you’re within 499 feet or 501 feet… who knows? We will find out (hopefully) through the lawsuit. For the other 87,000 Florida registrants who likely have no idea the law has changed… join FAC.
I need to write florida and tell them to pass a law requiring everyone to tattoo their birthday on their foreheads so I know not to talk to them lol. Crazy world we live in.
Is it true that now they can arrest for this by officer determination on the spot instead of obtaining a warrant?
It is, in fact, true.
Imagine the cop thinks you’re talking to a minor, arrests you, and come to find out she’s like 18 or 19. Dude, I’m suing the s*** out of them lol. There’s so many holes in this “legislation” just like there is in the hit list itself.