The Need For, and Results From “Calls to Action”

(Weekly Update #196)

Dear Members and Advocates,

We dodged a bullet. Or, to make a more proportionate reference, we dodged a missile. Senate Bill 1932 went nowhere this legislative session and is officially dead. SB 1932 would have made some incredibly burdensome changes to the registry, the worst of which would have amended the definition of day to be any “part” of a calendar day. For purposes of how many “days” constitute a residence, this would have been an absolute disaster, since anywhere you spent “part of a day” three or more times during a calendar year would have become registrable. Thankfully, the bill died in the criminal justice committee.

We will never know whether it was the immediate and significant responses to our calls to action that made the difference or some legislators simply read the proposed changes and said, “come on!”. We believe that our efforts in raising the objection to all legislators, pointing out the absurdity of the changes is what made the difference. It was our efforts in educating the legislators on the potential impact of the bill that made the difference. Otherwise and ordinarily, any bill seeking to make “sex offender laws” tougher would have sailed through without thought. Bottom line, we’re getting a lot better at this.

Also dying on the vine were HB 725 (which would have meant no restoration of civil rights, ever, for registrants), SB 512 and HB 325 (which would have required stays of as little as 24 hours at a vacation rental require registration), and SB 1732 (landlords can be held liable for renting to a registrant).

We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to our legislative committee who identified the bills, researched their effect on our population, tracked the status as they proceeded through committees, prepared calls to action, assembled contact lists for legislators, and provided us with talking points to help guide our emails and phone calls. We also owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to all of those who stepped up and did something. Whether you made phone calls, sent emails or mailed letters, you certainly made a difference!

While we can breathe a sigh of relief over 2022. Now is not the time to relax. Now is the time to work on our mission for the next legislative session, and that is to propose legislation! It might seem like a long-shot, but other states have been successful in proposing bills and FAC is a large enough, informed enough, and knowledgeable enough organization to prepare the draft of a bill and see if we can find a sponsor. It might seem ambitious and aggressive, but we are ambitious and aggressive!

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Calendar of Events – Keep up with Meet-and-Greets in your area, Support groups, Membership Calls, and other events.  Click Here for Calendar, and double click on the event to view details and RSVP instructions. For questions, contact membership@floridaactioncommittee.org or call 833-273-7325,Option 1.

  • Join the County Coordinator Team.  Only requirement is your desire to HELP us organize your county.  Training for new Coordinators is available.   Choose best day/time for you:  Wednesday 7pm (March 16 or 30), Thursday 1-2pm (March 17 or 31), Sunday 7-8pm (March  20 or 27)   Dial (760) 548-9898.
  • Fearless Group Call  Monday March 28 at 7pm Dial (727) 731-2927
  • Meet-and-Greet in Hillsborough April 2 from 11am-1pm. RSVP (727) 731-2927 or email daphne.fac@gmail.com.
  • Free Viewing of “Untouchable Documentary” April 4-7.
  • Monthly Membership Call Thursday April 7 at 8pm.  Topic: Untouchable Documentary.  Guest speaker Shawna Baldwin.  Dial 319-527-3487
  • Family Support Group (by Zoom) Sat Apr 9 from 11:00-1:00pmET
  • New Member Orientation Call Thursday April 14 at 8pm.  No Agenda.  Learn more about FAC, ask questions, get resources, volunteer. Dial 319-527-3487
  • A national conference is planned for March 2023 that includes a vigil on the steps of the United States Supreme Court.  Watch for details!

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13 thoughts on “The Need For, and Results From “Calls to Action”

  • March 17, 2022

    I’m glad we have people like the FAC helping. Far too often with RCs, it seems like those who want to help can’t, and those who can (and should) help don’t want to. I’m glad to see those who both want to help and can.

    Reply
  • March 16, 2022

    Thank You All That Participated in These Efforts……

    A Big KUDDOS to ALL OF YOU!

    AS Part of my appreciation and continued support, FAC will receive a reasonable donation on my behalf through, Joseph, a Member and Contributor of FAC….I prefer to remain anonymous…

    This donation is to continue to Foster a Sense of Reality, Truth and Science….Based on Empirical Data and Codified Numerical Statutory Laws, …. and That We Will Never Stop to Apply Justice TO ALL!

    Thank You for Those Who Get-It…Those That have figured out the Legislative Morasses That Exist in our Democratic Societies!
    -..it is No Easy Task, as you got to Follow The Dots and Connect Them Simultaneously!

    Reply
    • March 17, 2022

      Truth

      First of all, well said. Secondly, many (Including myself) bad mouth the law makers. God reminding me that those of us who are believers, that in faith, we need to pray for those same lawmakers. Pray that God will open not only their eyes, but also their hearts. Compassion and forgiveness are two major themes throughout the bible.

      Whenever the officer comes to our door to do “the”(I say the instead of “MY” as I do not claim it) compliance check, I always ask him if I can pray for him to be safe, to treat everyone with respect and for him to deserve respect.

      Reply

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