Man pushes for laws to keep sexual predators out of hospitals
75-year-old Edward Bowman is pushing legislators to create a law, “Clara’s Law”, to be named after his late wife Clara Mae, that would ban sexual predators (not sure whether the term “predator” is used to distinguish the different classification or if it’s used by him synonymously with “offender”) from nursing homes, hospitals and medical facilities all over the country.
In 2006, Edward’s late wife was sexually assaulted by a male nurse and he has been on a crusade since to get a law passed in her memory. This year, he is going to walk 237 miles from Mount Dora to Tallahassee, to meet with Florida lawmakers.
While Mr. Bowman has a sad and compelling story, he’s missing the mark on some facts.
Firstly, the nurse who assaulted his wife was not on the registry. Therefore, “Clara’s Law”, had a version been in effect back then, would have done nothing to protect Clara.
Secondly, the overwhelming majority of sexual assaults are committed by first time offenders. If another patient is assaulted by a healthcare worker, there’s a 97% base chance that it would be by someone not on the registry, further reduced by the fact that it’s unlikely that a hospital worker with such a criminal history would be working in a capacity where they could assault a patient, making the odds negligible.
Third, the unintended negative consequences of a law that would ban registrants from hospitals, would be that they would be prevented from visiting with loved ones, including their own children (see: https://floridaactioncommittee.org/wi-registrant-father-wins-right-to-visit-sick-son-in-hospital/, https://floridaactioncommittee.org/registrant-denied-access-to-hospital-for-sons-surgery/, https://floridaactioncommittee.org/sex-offenders-banned-from-florida-hospital/).
Bowman has been pushing for a “Clara’s Law”, in one form or another, for over a decade. Prior versions would have required healthcare facilities to report incidents of sexual misconduct (not convictions, but reports) to the state Health Department and potentially a national clearinghouse, but those measures failed.
We can understand Mr. Bowman’s desire to memorialize his wife, but banning an entire class of former offenders from hospitals – the effect of which could be to prevent children facing scary medical procedures from the comfort of their parent – is not going to do Clara any justice.
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Another point missing is that, by banning offenders from hospitals and other medical facilities would put the entire country at risk, not to speak of the offender him or herself. If I’m sick and need medical car but denied based on this “potential” threat law then I could be a medical threat to my family, friends, neighborhood and community. The writer of the FAC piece is correct, it won’t stop a potential future attack since 98% or more are first time offenders.
Surely, Lauren and Ron Book will meet Mr. Bowman at the border with extended hand and fresh squeezed Florida Orange Juice.
It’ll pass, Claras Law, not one desenting vote.
It’s not even a bill.
He’s been at this for years and it’s never made it close to the finish line.
I am willing to bet if he talks with a certain blonde legislative equivalent of the village idiot, he will get it at least seriously considered.
@ Derek
Speaking of the village idiot:
https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/995286
Plumbing issues?
Well, the Books are full of crap, so I’m sure they’ll benefit directly from FL S0060
We must remember that liberals are very generous people…with other people’s money.
Don’t say that too loudly, you’ll give “them” ideas.
IF it gets to vote, yes it will!! So no seeing your babies being born, grandbabies. Shit they could arrest you after treating you for a heart attack or wreck if they word the statute properly.
This is what I’ve been saying. With identifier in your license you cannot tell me we get the same care. Obviously a lot of people are too nice to this gentlemen to point out he’s waisting his time or taking him for a ride he’s funding or a lot of people are behind this meaning not only are we discriminated every other aspect of life in America but we are also somewhat denied health care even though I have insurance. This law will go nowhere not worth commenting on any farther. Up in Lakeland the honerable Sherriff Judd was met with resistance from the public after banning offenders from shelters during hurricane which he retracted. If I became terminally ill and was denied care I wouldn’t be so friendly a lion.
I’m not sure all are aware, but if you need acute care, nursing home care and even hospice: as a Registrant you will not be able to find a location that will accept you, not even the VA if you are not rehabilitative.
This is already in place!
Also in Polk County, you may go to an emergency room but not stay at a hospital that has a pediatric ward.
Hmm, not sure that’s true, unless its a brand new ordnance, been in LRMC as a patient and as a visitor, never had a problem . Can you post information confirming this ?
When did that happen, I know the last time Polk county had a major storm. The sherriff department came out and told me that I’m not allowed at any public shelter and I must seek a private shelter, basically with family. I live in Polk city in a trailer surrounded by woods and swamps. Then my comment to the officer was well i guess this could be my death sentence staying here since I cant register any families addresses. Yea the discrimination that is done to us is crazy, but majority of the world is happy about it.
it seems the rage is getting a law named after some one, GAIL why don’t you start GAIL’S LAW? reform the S.O.R
Yes that is great idea anthony. Gails’ Law helping to over turn silly laws imposed on us my crazy lawmakers trying to stay in office by destroying families and creating homeless and unemployment! Gail There should be a law named after you..
I noticed the rage to “name” things when they started naming snowstorms…it’s got something to do with the day and age if our times.
Just another person who wants to jump on sex offender bandwagon. Really he going to walk that distance to meet with law makers.My personal opinion none of them are worth the trip. Their behavior is worse then mine. He wants to do something to remind himself of his wife donate monies or build school, public libraries something people can look at and use everyday! Not a law being used to hate others. I would never used my wives name( If I had a wife) as tool to hate others. I would want others to know of her love and other things she has done, even if my wife were attack. He is using his wife to make himself feel better