FAC Weekly Update 2026-07-14- Preparing for a Historic Legal Challenge
Weekly update for July 14, 2026. This is recording number 381
Dear Members and Advocates,
We are now approximately one month away from filing what we believe will be a historic legal challenge to Florida’s sex offender registry laws. This lawsuit represents the most significant legal efforts ever undertaken by the Florida Action Committee (FAC) and has the potential to impact not only registrants in Florida, but registry laws and policies across the country.
This challenge was prompted by recent amendments to Florida’s residency restriction and proximity (loitering) laws (HB 45/SB 212), which dramatically expand the restrictions placed on registrants and create new barriers to housing, family relationships, employment, and everyday activities. These amendments raise serious constitutional concerns and threaten to impose restrictions that are not supported by evidence showing they improve public safety.
The FAC legal team has been working diligently behind the scenes. Attorney Michael Kimberly is actively completing the complaint, our experts have been retained, supporting data has been collected, and we are carefully building a case designed to put us in the strongest possible position to succeed. We are not simply filing a lawsuit – we are preparing for a fight that we believe can create meaningful and lasting change.
One of the most important ways you can support this effort is by sharing your personal experience. We are seeking individuals who are directly impacted by these new restrictions and who are willing to submit a declaration describing how the law affects their lives. A qualified declarant would be someone whose circumstances are impacted by the recent amendments. Some examples include: “I visit my elderly mother several times per year. Because I visit more than three days in a calendar year, I am required to register her address as a Temporary Residence. Because she lives in a community with a pool, I can no longer visit her.”, “The lease on my apartment expires this year and my family planned to move from a one-bedroom apartment to a two-bedroom apartment within the same community. Because the community has a pool, I can no longer relocate, even within the same community.”, “I work in a shopping mall and interact with dozens of people every day. I cannot always determine whether a customer is 17 or 19 years old, so I do not know whether I can legally communicate with them. I asked my supervising officer whether the mall is considered a ‘place where children congregate,’ and he did not know.” These are only examples from some of our members. The strongest declarations are those that explain your actual circumstances, how the new law affects you, and the uncertainty or hardship it creates.
If you would like to be a declarant, please contact our legal team at: [email protected] and share your circumstances. Please do not describe your underlying case, since it’s not relevant to this lawsuit. Only describe how the current law, particularly the newly amended residency restriction and loitering statutes impact your life. We can assist you with formatting it into a formal declaration, but your story is your own and you could become an important part of this historic challenge.
Another area we still need help with is funding this case. Litigation of this magnitude requires significant resources. We have paid out our initial retainer, but there are experts and once litigation becomes active there will be additional costs associated. FAC must raise an additional funds to help fund this legal effort. You can make your donation to our General Legal Fund here: https://floridaactioncommittee.org/donations/. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has already contributed. Every donation – large or small – has helped bring us to this point. Without the support of our members and supporters, this challenge would not be possible.
If you believe that these laws have gone too far, if you believe constitutional rights matter, and if you believe evidence-based public safety policies should guide our laws, now is the time to stand with FAC. Let’s make history together!
Sincerely,
The Florida Action Committee
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This may be considered off-topic, apologies for that if it is. I travel to Florida for business and have always registered and stayed in compliant hotels. I believe the main hotel I have used is now non-compliant under the new laws. Does anyone have any suggestions on ways I can find a new compliant hotel, or resources that could help? Thank you.
Well I will open a secret Under Florida’s CS/CS/CS/SB 212 and HB 45, the newly established exclusion zones banning certain sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of public swimming pools exclude pools located at RV parks and hotels. However, offenders are still bound by existing state residency restrictions and private campground policies.
Look at thousandtrails.com they have packages for RV to cabin stays with their membership all im saying
Do famous people’s relatives get a break when they are arrested for a sex crime? Well a high ranking official Tulsi Gabbards brother has been arrested for luring children. Will he get a pass because of his relative?
https://www.aol.com/articles/tulsi-gabbard-brother-batarti-facing-145414000.html
Dear FAC and NARSOL, please cite tragic examples of otherwise innocent people caught in registry and suffer consequences as results, like Adam Nesteikis, Steven Whitsett, and many men who have consensual sexual relationships with underage people. John Walsh himself would put him on registry that he supports because of he had sex with 16 year old girl when he was 22. Please also cite tragic examples of someone not on registry rape and murder children, like April Tinsley case and some similar cases. Please prepare for powerful opposition statement from NCMEC and prepare with mountain of evidences to argue against current sex offender registry. Remember that Jesus offers unconditional forgiveness, grace, and redemption to all who repent, including individuals listed on sexual offense registries
Avery – if you can compile the list we will promote it. We need more volunteers to help. Our plates are full.
Keep in mind that FAC does not in any way condone sexual activity between adults and children, nor does it condone any sexual activity that would break laws in any state. We do not advocate lowering the age of consent, and we have no affiliation with any group that does condone such activities.
Not really sure where to put this. But question. If someone has surgery and there is a scar, do they report that the next visit or within 48 hours.
When I look through 943.0435, it seems to say that identifying marks are reported at registration and re-registration. There are certain changes it says must be reported within 48 hours, but identifying marks does not seem to be one of them. And it does not mention surgical scars or whether those are always (or ever) considered identifying marks.
My registration office, fwiw, said that you should report “visible” scars (whatever that means) and not necessarily all scars. Maybe that’s the path to go down, that of asking the registration office.
Why Legal Battles Against a State Can Take Years
Legal disputes rarely move quickly, and lawsuits against a state government often take even longer. Before a case can even be filed, attorneys typically spend months investigating the facts, gathering evidence, researching the law, and preparing legal documents. In many states, plaintiffs must also satisfy pre-suit notice requirements before they are permitted to file a lawsuit.
Once a lawsuit is filed, the litigation process—including motions, discovery, hearings, and, if necessary, trial—can take one to three years in many civil cases. More complex cases, particularly those involving constitutional issues or government defendants, often last three to five years or longer. If either side appeals the court’s decision, the case may continue for several additional years.
Because of sovereign immunity laws and other procedural requirements, lawsuits against state governments frequently involve additional legal hurdles that can extend the timeline. While every case is different, it is not uncommon for legal battles against a state to span several years from the initial investigation to a final resolution.
As the military saying goes, “Hurry up and wait.” The phrase perfectly captures the reality of many legal proceedings: there is often an intense period of preparation and action, followed by long stretches of waiting while the legal process runs its course. Patience is not just helpful—it’s often essential.
I hear this. FAC is there a way that the attorneys once they file suit can seek an injunction on everything added after 1997 pending case out come? If so that would be AMAZING. Even if they got everything after 2013 that would be great
Ive helped Ronnie this week but if ananyone of you need help just let me know love FAC!!