Upcoming Proposed Florida Sex Offender Legislation

Weekly Update 2017-02-21

Dear Members and Advocates,

Things are happening in Tallahassee. It’s that time of year, where bills are introduced, they are kicked around in legislative committees and we need to be contacting our senators and representatives letting them know how we feel about them.

There are some bills that are good and some that are bad. Here’s our take:

House Joint Resolution 565 would restore the civil rights of all felons automatically 3 years after court ordered sanctions are completed. This is a GREAT bill that would enable many of us to obtain business licenses again and vote.

Then there’s HB 686/SB 699, which would exempt email addresses and internet identifiers of registrants from public disclosure. Although we oppose the required reporting of this information to begin with, we fully support that it will not be disclosed to third parties absent very specific circumstances.

The one bill we absolutely and STRONGLY OPPOSE is SB 684/HB 701 which is the legislature’s attempt to re-write the internet identifier law in the face of the lawsuit and preliminary injunction we got back in October. This re-write chills speech and violated First Amendment rights. Although our lawsuit is continuing and even if this bill becomes law it will be challenged by that lawsuit, we need to do our best to let our representatives in Tallahassee know that we are against this bill!

For a more comprehensive list of current bills impacting our population, visit here<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/new-bills-filed-fl-legislature/>.

PLEASE SCROLL BELOW THE LINE ON THIS EMAIL FOR AN IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION on SB 684/HB 701

Sincerely,

The Florida Action Committee

Fellow Warriors, FAC MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS,

We are in the throes of committee weeks in Tallahassee as our legislators prepare for the actual 2017 legislative session, which begins March 7.  They have already been busy filing bills. As I am sure most of you are aware, a new policy was to go into effect October 1, 2016 regarding “internet identifiers” which was enjoined (halted) by a ruling of the court, due to a lawsuit we initiated! The legislature is trying to clarify/simplify this by creating new language found in SB 684/HB 701. Although they have made it somewhat less burdensome it is still unconstitutional and FAC will oppose.

Many of you ask how you may help and be involved. This is one of the most important ways you may do both.

We need all of you and your circle of supporters and their supporters and their supporters to reach out and call your legislators and all members of the following committees to oppose this bill based on the following talking points.

Call to Action!!!

SB 684/HB 701

OPPOSE

It is important that when you call, give your name, if you are a constituent, say so, DO NOT mention your registration status as it is irrelevant. If you are not a registered citizen DO NOT mention as it is irrelevant.

Talking Pints:

*        UNCONSTITUTIONAL

*       Chills speech

*       All citizens are protected by the US Constitution, not just some.

*       Protecting the Constitution begins with “equal protection under the law”

*       If we continue down this path by denying the rights of this group of people it’s a slippery slope, who then is next?

*         This population is already without a voice in their inability to vote, they should at least be allowed to use their voices to comment on policies and articles anonymously if they so choose, as does every other citizen, without fear of law enforcement or the government knowing what they’re thinking or saying.

*          If law enforcement believes a crime is being committed they can get a search warrant, as they would for every other citizen.

•          It is unconscionable the legislature believes this is acceptable to us as Americans.

*          Public Safety is your responsibility and this is included as a public safety issue, as “ALL” of us should have the right to speak freely regardless of our status, without fear of retribution from law enforcement or government.

IT IS BAD POLICY FOR FLORIDA and AMERICA.

Click here to find the listings of all your legislators. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/representatives.aspx      http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/#Senators

Committees:

House of Representatives Committees

Judiciary:

Chairman: Chris Sprowls  [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>     (850) 717-5065

Vice Chairman: Ross Spano [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>   (850) 717-5059

Democratic Ranking Member: Cynthia Stafford [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>            (850) 717-5109

Alexander, Ramon [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>  (850) 717-5008

Burgess, Jr., Daniel Wright “Danny” [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (850) 717-5038

Cortes, John [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (850) 717-5043

Diamond, Ben [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>      (850) 717-5068

Fant, Jay [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>   (850) 717-5015

Fitzenhagen, Heather [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>   (850) 717-5078

Geller, Joseph [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>       (850) 717-5100

Gonzalez, Julio [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>    (850) 717-5074

Grall, Erin [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>           (850) 717-5054

Hager, Bill [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>         (850) 717-5089

Harrison, Shawn [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>          (850) 717-5063

Metz, Larry [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>     (850) 717-5032

Moraitis, Jr., George R. [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>         (850) 717-5093

Plakon, Scott [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>                      (850) 717-5029

Pritchett, Sharon [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>       (850) 717-5102

Justice Appropriations:

Chairman: Bill Hagar [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>           (850) 717-5089

Vice Chairman:  Eris Eisnaugle [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>        (850) 717-5044

Democratic Ranking Member: Sharon Pritchett [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>            (850) 717-5102

Abruzzo, Joseph [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>          (850) 717-5081

Asencio, Robert [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (850) 717-5118

Byrd, Cord [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>                 (850) 717-5011

Daniels, Kimberly [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>      (850) 717-5014

Fitzenhagen, Heather [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>   (850) 717-5078

Gruters, Joe [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>  (850) 717-5073

Miller, Mike [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>  (850) 717-5047

Plakon, Scott [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>          (850) 717-5029

Spano, Ross [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (850) 717-5059

Sullivan, Jennifer Mae [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>                      (850) 717-5031

Williams, Patricia H. [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (850) 717-5092

Yarborough, Clay [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>       (850) 717-5012

Criminal Justice:

Chairman: Ross Spano [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (850) 717-5059

Vice Chair: Julio Gonzalez [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>   (850) 717-5074

Democratic Ranking Member: Sharon Pritchett [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>            (850) 717-5102

Alexander, Ramon [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>  (850) 717-5008

Altman, Thad [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>                      (850) 717-5052

Eagle, Dane [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>   (850) 717-5077

Grant, James “J.W.” [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>                      (850) 717-5064

Harrell, Gayle B. [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>    (850) 717-5083

Latvala, Chris [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>                      (850) 717-5067

Moskowitz, Jared Evan [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>                   (850) 717-5097

Raulerson, Daniel D. “Dan” [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (850) 717-5058

Richardson, David [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>    (850) 717-5113

Rommel, Bob [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>         (850) 717-5106

Slosberg, Emily [D] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> (850) 717-5091

Sullivan, Jennifer Mae [R] [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>           (850) 717-5031

Senate Committees:

Judiciary

Chair: Senator Greg Steube (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>           (850) 487-5023

Vice Chair: Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>            (850) 487-5027

Senator Randolph Bracy (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>          (850) 487-5011

Senator Anitere Flores (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>     (850) 487-5039

Senator Rene Garcia (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>             (850) 487-5036

Senator Audrey Gibson (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>  (850) 487-5006

Senator Debbie Mayfield (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>        (850) 487-5017

Senator Bobby Powell (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>     (850) 487-5030

Senator Perry E.  Thurston, Jr. (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>            (850) 487-5033

Justice Appropriations:

Chairman: Senator Aaron Bean (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>     (850) 487-5004

Vice Chairman: Senator Randolph Bracy (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>    (850) 487-5011

Senator Dennis Baxley (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>     (850) 487-5012

Senator Jeff Clemens (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>          (850) 487-5031

Senator Keith Perry (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>               (850) 487-5008

Criminal Justice:

Chair: Senator Randolph Bracy (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>          (850) 487-5011

Vice Chair: Senator Dennis Baxley (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>        (850) 487-5012

Senator Aaron Bean (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>             (850) 487-5004

Senator Rob Bradley (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>            (850) 487-5005

Senator Jeff Brandes (R) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>           (850) 487-5024

Senator Jeff Clemens (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>          (850) 487-5031

Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson (D) [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>     (850) 487-5019

This is your time to SHOW UP, STAND UP and SPEAK UP!

We are all in this together.

Some Headlines from this Week

Task force would seek to remake Florida’s criminal justice system<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/task-force-seek-remake-floridas-criminal-justice-system/>

Florida’s state lawmakers increasingly are embracing criminal justice reform policies that break with the state’s “tough on crime” past Last year, Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, and the GOP-controlled legislature approved one of the most far-reaching civil asset…

CA: Tiered Registry Bill Introduced!!!<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/ca-tiered-registry-bill-introduced/>

Janice’s Journal: Tiered Registry Bill Could Help More Than 90 Percent of Registrants It has happened at last!  A tiered registry bill has been introduced in the state legislature. Before looking at the substance of the bill (Senate Bill 695), it is important to look…

WARNING: ClearMyCase.com<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/warning-clearmycase-com-2/>

We have been contacted by many members about an unsolicited flyer they received in the mail from a company in Texas that is being marketed as “Clearmycase.com”. Apparently the company is using the Florida Sex Offender registry to solicit registrants, telling them that…

Untouchable<https://floridaactioncommittee.org/untouchable/>

Take a guess: What percentage of convicted sex offenders will go on to commit a second sex crime? If you named any figure higher than 5 percent, social science says you’re wrong. But don’t worry, the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t know the right answer, either. More than…