Lauren Book, Daughter of Lobbyist Ron Book, Founder of ‘Lauren’s Kids’ one of the State’s highest funded charities, advocate for punitive sex offender registration laws and State Senator, has sponsored some bills that will be on our radar and we will be opposing this legislative session.
| SB 1214 | Creates a Rebittable presumption of dangerousness to a child if a parent has a CP Conviction in their history. |
| Increases the Penalties for CP offenses | |
| SB 1226 | Sets Mandatory minimum terms of supervision for registration violations and includes electronic monitoring |
| Reduces the period of time before one must register a permanent or temporary residence from 5 to 3. | |
| SB 1502 | Establishes a 10 year mandatory minimum for crimes which are considered “Human Trafficking” |
This past July the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that SORNA was unconstitutional. I have been following the progression of events since the Supreme Court ruling as best I can. The latest news that has come out is that the Pennsylvania State Legislature is going to re-write new legislation to try to accommodate the PA Supreme Court ruling.
Being a RSO living in Pennsylvania, I am very apprehensive about the possible negative impact the new laws will have on the lives of RSO’s in PA. The past track record of politicians (like the Books) has not been in favor of passing common sense sex offender laws. I hold out hope that Pennsylvania passes some decent common sense legislation instead of more draconian laws based on fear, flawed statistics, and self preservation.
Also, from what I am seeing here in PA, the Pennsylvania State Police as well as District Attorneys, are not going to give up on the current laws without a fight.
I sometimes have difficulty in accepting the reality of how absolutely messed up these sex offender laws have become. Unreal, just unbelievable…and pitiful that this is going on here in the United States in this day in age. Too much misinformation out there!
NEWS FLASH – The government does not exist to keep people safe. As we have seen recently they even fail miserably at that task. Legitimate governments exist solely to protect the rights of their citizens. The vast majority of politicians only say what they think will get them into office. Once elected, they use their elected positions as a cash cow or as a future ATM when they get private sector jobs. It unfortunately falls on the governed to continuously fight for our civil rights and civil liberties or they will simply evaporate into thin air. This includes The Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms.
800,000 Americans die EVERY year from heart disease. Maybe we should require universal background checks for food purchases. Or perhaps require universal background checks for food purchases by fat people.
“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Dictionary definition of infringe:
To break off, impair, break, violate; To break (a law or agreement.);
Following that logic ANY laws which impair (weaken, hinder, prevent or delay) in any way, an American’s right to acquire, possess or own any type of arms (including firearms) clearly violates the United States Constitution. Period.
There are NO clauses in the United States Constitution stating if public opinion polls are taken that the opinion of those polled trumps any laws or any part of the United States Constitution or amendments thereof.
It is NOT wrong to stand up for our civil rights.
It is WRONG to pass laws and believe that they will stop the violence embedded in American society.
People are getting sick and tired of being told that they need to give up their civil liberties to keep them safe. What a crock of BULL!
Freedom comes with risks. Either you want to live in a free country or you don’t. If YOU want to give up YOUR civil liberties to feel safe then do so. But do NOT ask me to give up MY civil liberties. Do NOT ask tens of millions of other freedom loving Americans to give up theirs either! If YOU find The United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights unacceptable then go live somewhere else. AND don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way to Mexico or China or Russia or Venezuela or Canada.
Freedom suppressed and regained bites with keener fangs than freedom never endangered
“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms… disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.” –Thomas Jefferson
Remember: British attempts at gun-control and firearms and ammunition confiscation started the American Revolution. It was not about tea.
“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” –Edmund Burke
Well said Paula!
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
-Benjamin Franklin
I am new to this site. Retired, moved to Florida from Michigan about a year ago. Spent 20 years as a licensed master social worker working with children in foster care as well as assessing and treating juvenile and adult sex offenders. Recently joined Volusia/Flager ACLU. Speaking at Orange City Unitarian/Universalist Church tomorrow on the subject of sex offender registries (Michigan has one as well) and community incarceration. These responses to the real problem of criminal sexual conduct are not only inappropriate, they are unconstitutional and by their precedent open to the door to even more outrageous human rights abuses by the criminal justice system. Are there any commenters out there who would like me to say something on their behalf?
Michael. Thank you so much for becoming involved. We will be in touch shortly.
According to my research in May of 1996 the feds passed the Megan law requiring states establish sor.though not all have. But each state can make up there own decisions as to what a sex offender is ,so with 50 different ideas and one the same we have a conglomeration of screwed up mick mash but trade names from state to state and now to other countries even though none can even agree between themselves.plus each state is constantly changing there laws and punishment. It’s like making a law that every state have abaseball team and play each other but every team make up there own rules and Change them at will. You wonder why there are problems
So here are some numbers I found, and I was in foster care for about a year as a toddler, you don’t won’t to put a kid in foster care. According to national statistics provided by Arrow, 40 to 50 percent of those children will never complete high school. Sixty-six percent of them will be homeless, go to jail or die within one year of leaving the foster care system at 18.
According to national statistics provided by Arrow, 40 to 50 percent of those children will never complete high school. Sixty-six percent of them will be homeless, go to jail or die within one year of leaving the foster care system at 18.
Arrow also said 80 percent of the prison population once was in foster care, and that girls in foster care are 600 percent more likely than the general population to become pregnant before the age of 21.
This came up in my reading tonight and it’s appropriate for the content of this article:
Isaiah 10: 1-3
Woe to those who enact evil statutes And to those who constantly record unjust decisions, So as to deprive the needy of justice And rob the poor of My people of their rights, So that widows may be their spoil And that they may plunder the orphans. Now what will you do in the day of punishment, And in the devastation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your wealth?
Excellent scripture reference! It’s like I keep saying before, unless the Book’s turn from their wicked ways and repent from taking their misery and enacting multiple miseries on other people by exploiting their wealth and influence, as opposed to actually doing good with it, then they will spend eternity in the lowest level of hell right along with good old Judas, Hitler, and Satan himself.
Sorry, not enough sleep and too much time online. Thanks! I just hope everyone makes the calls.
From what I have experienced in the past, calls to Senator Rubio and Nelson’s contact phone is a very easy and expedient process. Its what everyone needs to do, and maybe some think it does no good to call but it definitely does NO good not to, so lets all write down a few notes next to the contact numbers and practice our most courteous
tone and make these few calls.
They are federal. Book’s bills are State.
Isn’t her charity a 501 c3? If so why not have everyone report her to irs and get her charity fined or taken off the money profit list. C3 s can’t advocate for any politicians or laws period she should step down shall an elected official or not put any bills toward that would go towards her non profit
Nothing will be accomplished by just going after these bills. We have to go after the Books themselves. The politician Book can’t be touched in her official capacity, but her non-profit and her affiliation with it can. Her father is only a lobbyist and is vulnerable to a law suit.
We need background info on these two individuals.
Start with this…
In 1986, Ronald L Book was charged with multiple felonies for filing false insurance claims and second degree theft (case no F-86-014568). He plead it down to a misdemeanor. In 1995 he was convicted and received a suspended sentence for several counts of political campaign contribution violations (case no M-95-042797).
Take a look at the political contribution disclosures of the Miami-Dade and Broward County politicians (the ones in Tallahassee too) and look for not only Ron Book, but his clients, associates, friends, barbers, etc… See what you come up with.
You can place me on a committee that will concentrate on the Book’s. You know how to get in touch with me. I would like to invite 1or 2 (or as many as would like) to join me in this fact finding mission. We can fight back against the Books. All we have to do is look for the info.
I will put you in touch with an individual who also indicated an interest in working on the project.
Agreed. But will be very difficult, since Ron Book has his hands in many state officials’ pockets, to include those who would deal with corruption claims. I’m looking into how to bring about such action and how they usually pan out, and anticipate it’ll be a long process.
Go interview the nanny that is sitting in jail I have been saying for along time now I bet she can sing like a canary she has all the dirt on them I bet. start there she has nothing to loose. Or find a reporter that would be interested in finding out the dirt on the book family!!
I agree Mona. That’s a great idea.
The Books have found a golden goose VENUE to make all of their dreams come true-make tons of money! by using registered citizens as a foot ball to kick around.
“It’s “CALLED SAVE THE CHILDREN” I was at the RALLY IN TALLEY a few years back joining with registered citizens-concerned citizens protestation Mr.Book who was running across Florida to the state capital for her save the children from S.O.F. books-run for state office
One block form the capital she has an entourage of bikers for kids on motorcycles- all kind of save the kids groups- a line of police cars-fire engines with lights flashing following her,- her dirt bag dad emerges from a side alley- runs with her- as she is approaching the capital fire works-go off- a band starts playing- the who front of the capital looked like some kind of rock concert venue complete with a stage for her to speak to a mob
The whole BOOK Org is like a rock band concert, complete with MGR’s–promoters-side crews-groupies-all combing to put on a show of her as the singer, singing I wanna save the children from S.O.F
I mean this with all the disrespect in the world…..F**k you Lauren Book and your rich ass entitled father . The both of you have done nothing but abuse your power, money, and influence to bring misery to the lives of 900,000 of your fellow citizens. [REDACTED BY EDITOR]. With that kind of money and power, none of us stand a chance except to get the hell out of Florida. That’s OK though. When I die and go to heaven, I’ll have the pleasure of looking down and seeing her and her daddy rotting in the lowest level of hell next to Judas and Hitler. What a b**ch.
So I’m wondering why the editor took out the part in my last post about MY OPINION of thinking that Lauren’s story about her abuse is FAKE and is just being used as a platform for her and Ron to make as much money and accumulate as much power as possible?? What about all the talk on here about our 1st amendment rights to be able to anonymously post and not have to register every internet identifier based on that argument?? Seems pretty hypocritical if you ask me…….POST MY OPINION ON HERE PLEASE….THANK YOU.
Because our organization does not condone victim blaming and stands against sexual violence. What happened to Lauren Book was tragic. Her nanny was tried and convicted.
Unless you have first-hand knowledge of what happened or are privy to information nobody else has about the case, statements claiming she’s made it up are insensitive and will only serve to incite.
While we may believe that the Book’s policies are counter-productive or that they are exploiting her personal tragedy for profit, we would never claim (or permit the perpetuation of unfounded statements) that her abuse claims are fake.
With respect to anonymous speech and registration of internet identifiers, your comments have always been made anonymously and we could care less if you registered your identifiers. Our site is moderated to ensure the comments are appropriate, non-abusive and meet our member code of conduct. When we find a comment is offensive, insensitive, abusive or otherwise inappropriate, we either delete it or redact the objectionable comment.
For purposes of this discussion, we did not redact your latest post, so YOUR OPINION is out there and so is FAC’s POSITION on your opinion.
While you are right that Waldina Flores was convicted, she was never tried. In 2002 she was sentenced in Miami to 15 years in prison, according to an article published in the Sun Sentinel that is still online. That conviction was part of a plea deal with the state.
There was never a trial so none of what Lauren Book or her father has claimed has ever been held to scrutiny under oath. There are only 2 people who know the truth, one is in prison still as DOC lists her sentence at 25 years instead of 15, and the other had built a media campaign which got her elected to the Florida Senate, although she did run unopposed.
I’m not going to link the Sun Sentinel article from 2002, it’s easy enough to find on Google. I would invite anyone curious to not only read that article but also look at the reviews on Amazon for Ms. Books memoir, specifically ones that are critical of the book and not just gushing praise. .
I only hope someone in Tallahassee grows a spine and opposes these ridiculous bills. Do we know of any lawmakers up there that might or are they all afraid to admit that these bills are added punishment and unconstitutional
No. It’s never going to happen. Oppose a bill that claims to “keep kids safe from SO’s”?? That’s political suicide. Plus, the Book’s have so many people in their back pocket with funding and such, none of us stand a chance. Hard to believe that 2 people like this can’t be brought down, but unless someone on our side can get some of these greedy-ass scuzzy lawyers who actually care about constitutional rights and the welfare of people rather than their own personal Ferrari convertibles and bank accounts to step up and fight for us, truly, how are we gonna compete against this and bring it down in Florida? To me, the fight just ain’t worth it. It’s going to eventually get to the point where all of us get sick enough of it and will be fearless enough to just flat out rebel and revolt against the system and say the hell with you, I’m not following that stupid law or restriction. Just come lock me up you POS. But none of us as a group are willing to do that, so hence, nothing will change. Until someone puts some REAL pressure on Lauren and her POS father, things will only get worse in Florida. It’s all about money people. From the sting operations, to putting as many people as possible in Florida prisons, to probation costs and ankle monitor fees, and polygraphs, and therapy costs, lawyers, to lobbyists getting paid to get more laws passed. When will you all realize this?? WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE AND YOUR FAMILIES GET SICK AND TIRED ENOUGH OF ALL THIS AND FIGHT BACK AND SPEAK UP??!!
Question,,, On some of the items in these bills, wouldn’t ex post facto come into play . These are not registry items they are statutes, bills of law.. and by law you can’t punish people after the fact?
According the the US Supreme Court in Smith v. Doe the registry is not punishment. That’s the whole point of our Ex Post Facto lawsuit
But what about the decisions esewhere that it indeed is ex post facto? Is the ex post facto the fight we need to focus on here in florida? Then theres some headway into the other issues? Do we need funding and how much? If this is a fight worth it maybe its the one im looking for….
It has been ruled unconstitutional elsewhere. Which is why we are initiating our own Ex Post Facto challenge here.
Im assuming its the same constitution so jow can it not be universal?
Would be also nice if we can get the Federal ruling from Colorado that ruled the registry unconstitutional and punishment. That was an ” as applied ” to defendant ruling. Not sure if there is any registrant{s} here in Florida (I’m sure there has to be) that would be a good example{s} as to how the registry has hindered his/her life with employment,housing, etc. etc. and all of it in post sentence.
I have been keeping tabs on the stories going on around the country concerning these laws and I absolutely agree that the registry is by far cruel and unusual punishment and not only has it hindered my son from getting a job, living in a safe place with my brother (who is the only relative down in Florida that we have to help him), but it has hindered my son from being able to move back to Ohio and living with his family who just want him to come home. We tried to get a transfer back to Ohio and the only place he could go would be my parents cause the state of Ohio will not let him live with us because our granddaughter lives with us. My parents apparently live within a 1,000 feet of an in-home daycare and that put the brakes on his transfer. In the meantime our son had to live with a complete stranger who did nothing but extort money from us for the last 3 months because the apartment that my brother had been living in threatened to evict the both of them if my son did not move out. My son had a hard time finding work and we have tapped out all of our resources into paying fees, counseling visits, polygraph test, court fees, etc. Not only does this registry interfere with my son’s rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness but it interferes with our family’s rights to the same thing. I feel as though we are being punished because every day we grieve over the loss of our son from our family and every day I wonder if I am ever going to be able to have my son home again. He is my only son and he has a twin sister, who deeply misses him as well as 2 other sisters, a niece and nephew, grandparents, etc. that just want him home. As a mom I want nothing more than to fight for my son and to end this ridiculousness. I would give anything to sit in a room with Mr. Ron Book and his daughter and tell them to “walk in my shoes” and let them see what they are doing isn’t just to sex offenders but it is to their families and if the state of Florida keeps going the way they are going with these illegal sting operations the whole state of Florida is going to be affected by the registry and then what do we have…..
Are you saying we are going to file an ex post facto law suit or have we done so already. Reguardless, can we contribute to it specifically. I have in the past but I thought it was a dead issue as no one gave us a case file to follow.
Yes, we are filing – see our post from last month where we consummated our formal retainer.
I’m sure you’re aware, but check out Doe v. Snyder; held that the registry is punishment. SCOTUS denied cert last October, I think.
Keep into perspective when SCOUS review the registry issue in 2004, that was no in person requirement, no residency restrictions and the ability to petition for removal if after 10 years you had no other felony/misdemeanor charges.
Of course. We understand that. Every couple years the requirements become more onerous and punitive.
On SB1226, someone might tip off the deputy’s at JSO who were off from the 22nd to the 27th for Christmas. No holiday at home if registrants have to come in after 3 days. Not to mention any other long holiday weekends…
They won’t care whether it is 5 days or 3 days. I have personally seen deputies turn registrants away telling them they only register people on a certain day and time and they have to wait till then. When it was pointed out that waiting till then would put the registrant in violation, they responded that they will indeed arrest the registrant for failure to register and it was on the registrant to plan all their moves, etc. so as to coincide with times they felt like registering people even if the registrant is from out of the area and has no way to know when they choose to register them. One station even refused to register someone because he would be moving on in a day or two and they didn’t want to be bothered even if it would violate the registration period. Police themselves fail to follow registration laws all the time.
Thank you FAC for the response. I am putting this together today for our calls and letter writing. Also, thanks to Dustin in Georgia for offering to help out.
In recent days the news has commented on how the opiod addition problem is stressing the foster care system. I would like for Senator Book to address this issue as it relates to a CP conviction and her evidence that these folks are also a danger to their own children. So far I have seen no evidence of endangerment but certainly we can see it with drug addicted parents. This ridiculous punitive Bill cannot hold any water. The sad part about it is how vindictive this Bill is and how someone could think they are helping children by removing them from the home with no evidence of abuse. Many bad things have happened in Foster care and certainly putting children in an already stressed system under the guise of helping them is in no way substantiated.
I actually thought about that last night. The presumption of dangerousness based on CP (the definition of which changes frequently and to ludicrous degrees) If the opposconvictions will inevitably expand to all sex offenses, and eventually phase out convictions and require only an accusation, as accusations equating convictions are becoming the same thing. That will inevitably lead to the entry of SOs’ children into the loving graces of the state foster care system. Don’t know how much of Florida’s prison population is composed of former foster children, but willing to bet the number is significant, if not large.
Statutory presumptions are based on longstanding, supported historical fact. For example, in law, if one party makes a claim, but the only evidence to prove or disprove the claim is entirely within the control of the opposition party, the burden of proof shifts to the opposition. If the opposition doesn’t provide the evidence, the claim is considered true, the presumption being the hidden evidence validates it.
Here, the proposed statutory presumption goes against the longstanding presumption (statutory or not) that no parent would intentionally endanger their children. Many have been irresponsible or unable to prevent endangerment for a variety of reasons, but very few have deliberately intended to harm their children in any way. The state has to rebut the protective parent presumption in cases of historically violent and drug addicted parents, and rightfully so.
Why should CP – or any sex crime for that matter – be different? Especially considering there is no empirical evidence that CP viewers/users actually have deliberately endangered their own children in some way. I don’t know the number of those instances (presuming very, very low) but it’s certainly not enough to support the proposed statutory presumption. Even if passed, I would think it unlikely that it would survive in the courts for a host of reasons. But that would be a very long, time consuming effort. It would be much easier and better to prevent the law from passing in the first place.
None of the proposed laws have any basis in fact or do anything to protect children (may even endanger some, ironically enough). The abuse Lauren Book endured is unfortunate, but does not give the Books moral license to expand and torture a segment of society just because their bloodlust wasn’t satisfied by the conviction (and death?) of Lauren’s abuser, as they have gone on record time and again stating that making life a living hell for all sex offenders is their express intent. Factoring the inordinately low recidivism rate of RSOs, torturing them specifically doesn’t protect children.
Let’s be very clear: Lauren is a political hack who is working in conjunction with her father in trying to profit both financially and through abject power in controlling the lives, and deaths, of thousands of registrants. This is nothing more than politicians trying to create massive taxation hikes to fund their own pet projects by demonizing the rich to get the votes from the poor, and must be stopped at all costs.
I have read over SB 1214 and can honestly say I have found it impossible to understand enough to completely comment to anyone in writing or by phone. They ask why you oppose the bill and I don’t want to sound stupid so can someone tell me does this bill affect both pre and post conviction conditions and how does it make anything worse than it already is? I would like to become more active in this endeavor but need help understanding what and how to better understand what I can effectively do.
Donna – with specific respect to SB1214
There are a few very dangerous provisions in there that apply POST CONVICTION.
One is; a rebuttable presumption of dangerous to a child is to be presumed by the court when the parent has a history of certain offenses including child pornography. It does not have to be a current charge – it can be decades ago! So what can happen is; DCF can search for anyone with a CP conviction in their past who now has children and seek to remove them from their custody and and the courts are to presume that the parent presents a danger to their child.
For anyone with a CP offense in their history who is a parent, this is very scary, as their children can be taken away from them at any time.
These proposals are unnecessary and will actually do nothing. But she is a Senator now, so she has to look like she is doing something. She probably didn’t even come up with these proposals herself and it looks more scripted by her political manager/team/or advisers. Every year they’ll come up with ” bits ” just to please and pillow talk the societal lynch mob majority and add to her political portfolio for more re-elections. I won’t be surprised if they got the next 10 years covered already.
It’s really sad that she focuses everything on sexual offense laws. With her senatorial powers and influence, it would be impressive and actually more useful if she tackles more pressing issues like education, teachers, abuses from big corporations, economic growth and stability, political corruption and abuse, as well as crimes which are more relevant and more a threat in our digital era like – identity theft. Which is a huge problem even for law enforcement. I’ve been a victim of identity theft 3 times and the police are clueless as to how to investigate it. They really don’t bother.
But……. it is what it is. Same old politics. Zzz
It may be on your radar but will you folks actually go to Tallahassee in person to stop this? I’m not taking about the one or two core group members, I mean all of you who are reading this? It is time we put the Books out of business.
passage of these laws, just close up shop and forget about it. Stick a Fork in it.
Coming next from Ms Brook ‘a man can be charged for possession of rapist tool-a women for intent to distribute porno to minors
The Books don’t stop but we as Registered citizens must ALL get involved to call in to our legislators and top officials in Tallahassee and protest these bills!!! Let’s do it…. we can ALL help these bills not go through.
Agreed. All RCs in Florida, to include their friends and family, need to call and write their state congressmen and senators to oppose these bills. Suggested arguments below, and personal examples and stories should be included as well.
Anything regarding sentencing and electronic monitoring should be strictly judicial discretion on a case by case basis. Legislatures fixing sentences without consideration to individual circumstances historically unjust.
“Rebuttable presumption of dangerousness to a child” is logically and legally backward and akin to presumption of guilt. Absent incidents of endangerment to the defendant’s child(ren) by the defendant parent, clear and convincing evidence at a minimum must be presented to overcome the historically and naturally presumed protective nature of the parent/child relationship.
Reducing reporting new residence time frame from 5 days to 3 serves no purpose. Absent a showing of significant frequency of actual versus presumed offenses or conjecture that such revision will or would have prevented, proposed revision serves no purpose other than deliberately inconveniencing of those affected.
I would, but I’m in Georgia. I will gladly help write or ghost write for anyone who would like me to.
man, what is it going to take to stop the Books??? i really hate what happened to her, but i had NOTHING to do with her abuse !
I would like to call re: those bills..can it made easier? list
33325 zip
This is what happens when evil people are in power. They are using a tragic event as justification for revenge. Not revenge on the SINGLE INDIVIDUAL who actually was involved but hateful and petty revenge on an entire group of people they have never met and know nothing about!
Who is the real abusers now? I would say without hesitation that it is Lauren Book and Ron Book. These 2 must derive some twisted satisfaction and pleasure from the systematic abuse that they are actively involved in tormenting individuals and families (including children) none of whom they have ever met and know NOTHING about!
PATHETIC
Ron Book and Lauren Book will continue their mean spirited campaign so all sex offenders are either homeless or in jail. Currently working on the jail part is high in the list. The Books have made an entire population homeless. The laws are meant to be so rigorous and technical that errors with the registration and such, make non sex offenses easy to violate without knowledge.