Legislative Updates Archives - Florida Action Committee (FAC)

Senator Introduces Bill to Make All Porn a Federal Crime

FAC-3 — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:15:14 +0000

Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) recently introduced the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA), which would effectively criminalize all pornography nationwide by legally redefining what it means to be obscene. For years, “obscenity” has been all but a defunct legal category that narrowly defines speech that remains unprotected by the First Amendment. Lee would explode this legal category, expanding it to encompass virtually all visual representations of sex.

According to the bill text, “a picture, image, graphic image file, film, videotape, or other visual depiction” of any media that “appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion” would be considered criminal. In other words, if you have an old VHS tape of some Cinemax-style smut stashed away in your garage, you could, under this law, be considered to be harboring deeply illicit materials.

SOURCE

The post Senator Introduces Bill to Make All Porn a Federal Crime appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

FAC Weekly Update 2025-04-01-Positive Progress as Lawmakers Face Pressure

FAC Contributor #4 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 22:06:35 +0000

Recording #302. Dear Members and Advocates,

For decades, we’ve watched the pendulum of public policy swing further toward ever-harsher laws, restrictions, and social ostracization for people on the registry. But lately, we’re seeing signs that the tide may be turning.

Across the country, courts, lawmakers, and even the public are increasingly recognizing the unintended consequences of blanket restrictions. Just this past week, a federal court in the Eastern District of Michigan entered a Final Order which included a finding that the registry is punishment and ruling that it cannot be applied against people whose offenses predate a 2011 amendment to the law.

In North Dakota, there’s a bill to study whether the length of time someone needs to be on the registry is necessary. In Utah, a bill proposes to add avenues to petition for removal from the obligation to register. In Washington, a bill was proposed to reduce registration terms for people caught up in online stings. It didn’t pass, but the positive take-away is that for the first time in a long time we are seeing legislators beginning to ratchet back overly punitive laws.

Registration duration is not the only area lawmakers are rethinking. In Illinois, a lawmaker proposed a bill to cut the residency restrictions exclusion zone in half.

Here in Florida, while change is excruciatingly slow and we face up against pressure from a very biased lobbyist, cracks are beginning to show. For the first time in… well ever, we have opened up dialogue with the FDLE at the request of legislators to assist in crafting language for proposed bills.

Even if nothing comes from it this year. It’s a huge step in the right direction. It is unquestionable that lawmakers here are facing pressure to reconsider ineffective policies that have only led to overcrowded registries, homelessness, and feel-good-do-nothing laws that make it harder for law enforcement to focus on actual threats.

For as long as we can remember, the pendulum has only swung in one direction. For the past few years we’ve made strides towards slowing that momentum by preventing horrible bills from being passed. Now we are beginning to see the first indications of a possible change in direction across the country. Thanks to organizations like FAC and other advocacy groups who have continued to challenge laws that punish rather than rehabilitate, we might just be getting somewhere.

Public perception is also shifting. More media outlets are willing to highlight the real stories of those impacted by these laws, showing the human cost of policies that prioritize fear over facts. Families, researchers, and even some law enforcement officials are speaking out about the need for reforms that actually enhance public safety rather than just creating a false sense of security.

Of course, we still have a long road ahead. Politicians will continue to use fear-based rhetoric to get votes. But the cracks in the system are real, and momentum is building.

Advocacy efforts matter now more than ever! This past week, we also announced a series of public service announcement videos which will be promoted through paid placement on YouTube and through social media. For those who have donated to our general fund to help cover the cost of media placement, we thank you. We need to keep fundraising. The more we raise, the broader our reach and the more people who will see these videos. We plan to add additional videos each month challenging misinformation.

The pendulum has been stuck in one direction for too long. By continuing to push, we are slowly seeing it swing back toward reason, fairness, and true public safety.

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee

The post FAC Weekly Update 2025-04-01-Positive Progress as Lawmakers Face Pressure appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

ND: Senate passes bill studying length of time on sex offender registry

FAC-3 — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 02:19:32 +0000

People who are considered “low-risk” sex offenders are required to be registered for at least 15 years. A House bill looks to see if that’s too long.

Originally, House Bill 1231 called for the minimum to be at seven years before you could petition for removal. Senators amended the bill to make it a study to figure out if any lowering is appropriate.

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee say there was too much debate to be confident in enacting immediate change.

“We have some issues to look at. That’s why we proposed this as a shall study [bill]. It’s that important of an issue,” said Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinberg.

SOURCE

The post ND: Senate passes bill studying length of time on sex offender registry appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

UT: New Bill Proposes Positive Change

FAC-3 — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:19:28 +0000

From Once Fallen:

A GOOD bill we should support, so you might want to post on the FAC blog

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0155.html

General Description:
This bill amends provisions related to the Sex, Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸reduces the amount of time that must elapse before an offender who is on the Sex,
Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry for an offense requiring lifetime registration
is:
•able to first petition for early removal from the registry; and
•able to file an additional petition for early removal if the offender’s previous petition is
denied;
▸contains a coordination clause to coordinate changes between this bill and S.B. 41, Sex,
Kidnap, and Child Abuse Offender Registry Amendments; and
▸makes technical and conforming changes.

Derek W. Logue of OnceFallen.com

The post UT: New Bill Proposes Positive Change appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

MI: A huge win in Michigan

FAC-3 — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:02:19 +0000

Judge Mark A. Goldsmith of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan ruled on a class action brought by the ACLU of Michigan that the state can’t enforce the entirety of its 2021 version of the law against offenders who committed their crimes before July 1, 2011. He gave the legislature 90 days to rewrite its laws.

Among the many just findings in this decision, the Court found that the registry is punishment!

You can read the decision here:
097114147849

The post MI: A huge win in Michigan appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

TX: Watch legislators debate juvenile registration

FAC-3 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:46:48 +0000

The post TX: Watch legislators debate juvenile registration appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).

Volusia County extends residence restrictions to 1500 feet

FAC Contributor #10 — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 11:05:54 +0000

In a 5 to 2 vote, the Volusia County Council voted to extend the state’s 1000-foot residence restrictions to 1500 feet from schools, day cares, parks, playgrounds, and school bus stops in the unincorporated parts of the county.

New Smyrna Beach, Deland, and Daytona Beach (all in Volusia County) already have 2500-foot residence restrictions.

The lengthy discussion was one of the most moving and emotional ones that has possibly ever occurred in a county/city meeting in Florida. It appeared that the council was at least going to postpone voting on the ordinance until there was some clarification, but that did not happen.

Many council members expressed a deep concern for the unintended consequences of the proposed ordinance. Only two members had the courage to vote NO. As Council Member Dempsey said, endorsing such an ordinance was low hanging fruit for political campaigns.

We will soon post a video of the meeting.

SOURCE

The post Volusia County extends residence restrictions to 1500 feet appeared first on Florida Action Committee (FAC).