NOTIFICATION OF REGISTRANT RESTRICTION CHANGES
Effective July 1, 2026, and pending the Governor signing CS/HB45/SB212 into law, the following changes will be made in Florida’s law.
The current state mandated 1,000 ft residency restrictions from schools, playgrounds, childcare centers, and parks continue to apply.
Effective July 1, 2026:
Swimming Pool residency ban: Registrants with specified offenses involving those less than 16 years old which offense occurred on or after July 1, 2026 – may not live within 1,000 ft of public swimming pools. Registrants whose offense was between Oct 1, 2004 (May 26, 2010 out of state offense) and before July 1, 2026 may stay in their residences BUT when they change their permanent residence they must comply with the 1,000 ft public swimming pool restriction. This residency ban is retroactive when a person moves from their permanent residence.
Registrants whose crimes occur on or after July 1, 2026 and who are on conditional release, probation or community control with specified offenses involving those less than 18 years old may not live within 1,000 ft of a public swimming pool, park, playground, school or childcare facility beginning July 1, 2026. The Florida Dept. of Corrections will provide further guidance which we will share as soon as it is available.
The specific language in the bill states, “”Public swimming pool” means a structure which is located either indoors or outdoors and used for recreational bathing or swimming by humans. The term includes a conventional pool, spa-type pool, wading pool, special purpose pool, spray pool, splash pad, or other water recreation attraction, to which admission may be gained with or without payment of a fee, regardless of whether entry to the swimming pool is limited by a gate or other method of controlling access. The term includes swimming pools 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. The term does not include a swimming pool at a private single-family residence, hotel, motel, or recreational vehicle park or a swimming pool where the operator prohibits the use of such pool by persons younger than 18 years of age.”
Loitering and Prowling: Changes the loitering and prowling prohibition from within 300 feet to within 500 feet of a place where children congregate. Warrantless arrests are now authorized.
This bill changes knowingly approaching with intent to communicate with sexual intent to any contact/communication/approach with a person younger than 18 years old in a park, playground or a recreational swimming pool. Family members are excluded. Only two types of recreational swimming pools are excluded: private single-family residences and facilities where persons younger than 18 are prohibited. This change is retroactive.
It remains legal to go to a park, playground, and swimming pool but registrants cannot communicate with minors, except their own children, in these locations. Contacting, communicating, approaching one’s family and household members younger than 18 years old are excluded.
Registrants whose crime occurred on or after July 1, 2026 and who are on conditional release, probation or community control with specified offenses involving those less than 18 years old – may not visit a public swimming pool without prior approval from supervising officer and may not work at a public swimming pool.
Written notification of Conviction: Persons with specified offenses may not be on the premises or property of a child care facility or school when it is in operation. Parents, grandparents and legal guardians may go to a child care facility or school with written notification of sexual offense conviction to the school board, principal, or owner and notification of when they intend to be present at the school/child care facility.
Retroactive: This notification change applies to all specified offenders – it does not matter when the offense occurred.
Excluded from notification: Parents, grandparents and legal guardians who are dropping off or picking up his/her child or grandchild at the childcare facility or school.
Registrants may be on the premises solely to attend a religious service.
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My question is you can remain at your residence unless you move then the 1000ft rule applies correct? But in the unfortunate event you go to jail, let’s say for FTR, your address automatically changes to the detention facility. Once you bond out, you have to re-register your residence with the cop shop. So would that be an automatic forfeiture of your residence? If that’s the case then the 1000ft swimming pool rule will take effect. Any thoughts FAC?
Good question, I would think though that if you didn’t sell your house during your time away it would still your permanent residence and the jail, was just a temporary residence? But I am not a lawyer.
Just because you’re taken into custody, does not mean you should de-register your permanent residence.
Are you saying that in this sort of circumstance, someone is deleting your permanent address from your registration, without your consent?
If so, who is doing that? A sheriffs deputy?
I had an FTR a few years back and when I bonded out, the release officer told me I had to go to the sheriff’s office and register my address so who knows? It’s all contradicting b.s anyway. Just a question I’ve had for a couple months now. Thanks for your input brothers 💪🍻
(I am not a lawyer) I believe only after a conviction would your legal permanent residence status change
Remember that also certain cities, counties, and or municipalities do not allow registered citizens in a park if minors are there, regardless of whether you communicate or not with the minor. And parks can be beaches. In essence we are banned from miami dade beaches
The part we’re the law retrospectively “captures” persons whose offense date post Oct 1, 2010 is the clearest example of retroactive application. Will this be added to the ex-post facto litigation?
So it’s okay to go to a public swimming pool as long as you don’t intend to talk to minors. But you can’t live next door to a public swimming pool. Makes perfect Florida legislative sense.
Rick, I completely share your thoughts. I hope that FAC is able to provide further insight on what we as a collective group can do to add this into the court cases we already have in motion.
Unbelievable, You have people in Government and entertainment that are pedos who walk around free. I’m so sick of Florida and there laws
It should be law that after 15 years, off the registry
Ede-well stated.
I thought that little “ipso facto” thing prevents making laws retro active. Or am I wrong? (Note: I’ve been wrong before so I’m used it)
Kevin,
I am not sure whether any final determinations have been made regarding the cases currently in motion. What I do know is that the laws surrounding this issue seem to be becoming increasingly punitive, without necessarily providing real solutions for improving safety. It raises the question of why someone must go through the court process and face penalties there, only to have legislators impose additional consequences afterward. From my perspective, it can feel like a form of double punishment for something that has already been addressed through the legal system.