The Assembly’s Public Safety Committee today, by a vote of 3 to 4, stopped Assembly Bill 884. Due to the committee’s vote, AB 884 will not receive further consideration.
“This is a great victory for more than 40,000 people who would have been moved from Tier 2, which requires 20 years of registration, to Tier 3, which requires lifetime registration, when the Tiered Registry Law takes effect,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “This positive result came about because more than 75 people testified today in opposition to the bill.”
The Committee’s final vote on AB 884 took place today at about 7 p.m. Two of the three votes cast this evening, by Committee members Quirk and Wicks, followed the lead of Chairman Reginald Jones-Sawyer and voted against the bill.
“In addition to testifying today, many members of the registrant community contributed to the defeat of AB 884 by sending letters and making phone calls to members of the Public Safety Committee,” stated ACSOL President Chance Oberstein.
During today’s hearing, a representative of the California Sex Offender Management Board testified against AB 884 and explained that the Tiered Registry Law passed by the legislature in 2017 is based upon sound public policy and therefore should not be modified at this time. She added that a registrant who has lived in the community for 20 years or longer and has not re-offended has a very low risk of re-offending in the future.
Also during the hearing, the bill’s author, Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, made several statements that lack a factual foundation. For example, she said that the “average child molester” harms at least 200 children before he is caught. The author’s sole witness also made false or misleading statements such as there is no treatment available for anyone diagnosed as a pedophile.
In addition to contributing to the stoppage of AB 884, the registrant community today contributed to the successful passage of SB 145 which would provide equal treatment to those participating in voluntary acts so long as the difference in age between the partners was 10 years or less. Because SB 145 was passed today by the Senate Public Safety Committee, it will next be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee on a date to be determined.
Update 4/12:
We have uploaded the hearing video to our YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxJiEHpwuHGRaJsRVBPU0qg
In order to protect the privacy of those brave citizens who spoke in opposition to this bill, we are not publishing the public comments portion. Therefore it is in two parts – up to and from the public comments.
To those “very loyal people” who are “correcting” those who dissent, I would remind you that we are supposed to be a group who supports civil rights and free speech. (For all) I don’t recall this much pushback some time ago when the contact offenders were complaining about being “thrown under the bus”.
I was just last weekend lectured by one of you on how I was not “supporting” ACSOL because I happen to have a different opinion this time and I really was insulted. I have been extremely supportive, both with my time and financially (although I am not rich and my contributions were not enormous).
Admittedly, some people in their distress may make comments that are not polite, but some of you sound like you think you are really “righteous” because you are on the winning side. Give the “losers” a break and stop preaching!!!
Mike r,
You are using the playbook of Melendez. First off, pedophilia is an ATTRACTION to prepubescent children, that doesnt mean they act on it, and majority of people who do offend are not diagnosed as a pedophile.
You are correct, there is no cure for pedophilia, no more there is a cure for homosexuality or heterosexually. However, you can provide help to them, so they don’t act on their attraction- this has been proven to be effective.
How about we all stop playing, “my Crime isn’t as bad as that crime” mentality. Everyone on the registry is affected the same, treated the same by society, etc, yet everyone on the registry can demonstrate that they have been reformed and no longer offend. Even high risk offenders don’t stay high risk, after 17 yrs offense free in the community, they are not likely to reoffend than a Teir I offender.
We are all in this together – those on the registry, their friends and family, and fellow advocates. It takes all of us working together to make real change. It may not be as fast as you may like, but change is on the horizon.
Haha! Ok this is amazing. Janice you are a god send. Melendez must be pulling her hair out by now. Way to go!
It was exciting to see a long line of people supporting our cause. We made a real noticeable impact. Congratulation to Janice and everyone who supported this very successful effort!
There were many new faces who joined us at the California State Capitol to attend both SB 145 and AB 884 Public Safety hearings. Early before the hearings got started, we packed the room and took up the seats. It was noticed by Senate staffers.
Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) asked Janice Bellucci to support his bill SB 145 and ACSOL, brought it. After I had announced my support for the bill, I stood with Janice. We enjoyed Senator Wiener watching as our 75+ supporters come up to the microphone to state their support. It was great to see so many people show up and get involved.
Next, we all moved to the Assembly. We came to oppose AB 884. At closing remarks, the bill’s author, Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez Republican representing the 67th district, encompassing parts of western Riverside County was frustrated. Maybe, it was our hard work and presence in the room taking up many seats as well she must have known that we had quite a few people waiting just outside the door to file in. This was a close vote, but with all our efforts the bill was defeated by 1 vote.
Congratulations to everyone who was able to help with letters, emails, phone calls and/or showing up to make this day a huge success!
I am sincerely happy for those that get some bit of relief with this victory. I am afraid though that it is temporary and others will learn from this and find ways to implement their demented agenda. We have not heard the last of Melendez. Her type will continue to spout lies and corrupt the system to push their puritanical view points. They will not stop.
As for the CP getting moved to tier 1, my hopes are slowly dimming. We in this catagory are easy targets. The public knows the term “C.P.” and “kiddy porn”, while things like 288 and other codes don’t have the same “ring” to the masses. That is why the legislature can get away with voting the obscure offenses down, but to risk their jobs on anything that has child or porn attached is political suicide. I may sound pessimistic to many here, but I prefer to think of it as realistic.
Melendez obviously didn’t do thorough research. She kept referring to people who violate very young children being Tier 2. That is just not true. PC 288.7 IS a tier 3 offense. This is a violation of children 10 years old and younger.
288(a) is lewd/lascivious acts with a minor under 14. Anyone charged with this probably had a victim aged 11-14. I’m not saying that’s any better, but it certainly IS NOT a prepubescent.
It doesn’t have to involve physical contact either. A man who urinates in an alley gets indecent exposure BUT if a 14 year-old minor witnesses this, it bumps up to 288(a). This charge casts a wide net. I know of one person who was convicted of 288(a) and his didn’t involve touching or even intent. He was wrongfully accused by a vengeful “friend”. **Side note** I was pleasantly surprised to see him at the Sacramento hearing yesterday with his supporting wife (who happens to be my old childhood friend and neighbor). I was not in attendance since I had to meet an important deadline at work.
I digress…the argument that those who offended a prepubescent as tier 2 is just not true. They ARE tier 3 under 288.7.
Thank you & God bless you Reginald Jones-Sawyer and committee members of AB884 who were willing to consider giving so many a chance to continue living a renewed life with hope for the future. My family member is a wonderful husband and dad and deserves to be given this opportunity! Thank you again for treating others as you and yours would want to be treated!
I know much hard work was put into this effort that so many opposed. Both sides had their viewpoint, but as we consider when we ourselves were younger, I think we can all remember things that we regret doing (and good thing we never got caught!). So, thank God for a second chance! God Bless America!
Sorry people I did not mean to go on a rant like that and attack others and all that. I am and was just really pissed off at this whole deal and for those of you who have done you time each and everyone one of you deserve the same respect and chance to redeem yourselves as any one else. I hope you all get the relief you all deserve out of this. I will continue to fight my own fight for my relief.
Peace and congrats….
Everyone keeps talking about CP, that is not good enough, we have to get rid of all non-contact non-violent offenses including the 288.2. I do not now how all the CPs did not get a 288.2 as well. I guess people that took plea deals and did not fight it they did not charge that. They were only charging me with attempt 288(a) at first until I said I was fighting it then all a sudden the old 647 I believe it was-child molestation, and 288.2. Pretty much charged me three times for the same offense. BS, so non-contact non-violent offenses of all kinds should never be tier III, that is just crazy talk.
I actually think stating it like that, “non-contact non-violent offenses is more palpable to the ordinary person and much better then CP which conjures up images of little children being abused over the net.
Anyways I will keep fighting it all as I have an appointment on Friday with the pro se help seminar or clinic or whatever that I am meeting at the courthouse. Supposed to be the McGoerge and pacific school of law there.
Well see what they think abut this shit and my case. If anything it will just educate more people on what is happening.
And I really do apologize to all of you. All that was really uncalled for and did sound like a playbook of Melendez. Like I stated, no matter your crime you do your time it should be done with. It is really frustrating knowing 40,000 people are going to get a chance at relief and people like me and lets face it I am being extremely selfish are not getting that same chance. Everyone that went to that hearing, wrote letters and made phone calls are real warriors and should be applauded for your courage to fight. The more I think abut it I am really feeling that we do have some warriors willing to fight, and even though it is not in court like me, you are doing it however the hell you can and that takes courage. You people have actually brought big change doing it your way and I salute you all.
Yesterday, I was delighted to be a part of the process in Sacramento. This is my first time getting involved, and I am extremely happy I did. I also learned a lot from the hearings, and also watching the monitors of other hearings that went on.
I have a concern and want to be pro-active in bringing about a solution. As I have read through the comments about yesterday, it was brought up that non-factual statements were brought up. As I have observed in the past 25 years, many myths and lies are put out as if they were factual and truthful.
The challenge is when no one refutes these myths, lies or misconceptions, later they become the meat for articles in media. The next step is they become “facts”, in the public eye and although they are not “fact checked”, they are indeed used to process law and bills.
We need to be agressive when we hear these myths and lies to counter them. We need to hold the person who is not being truthful to a very strict accountability. When Chief Justice Kennedy, pushed his own agenda because he did not use factual statements, it hurt all of us and to this day his statements are being used as “facts”.
Therefore, how do we create a bill that holds the person responsible for putting out false facts? Are there ways to have a law retracted if the law was based on false statements or statistics? This is not only about sex offenders, but every American. As I listened yesterday, I found it was not uncommon to hear statements that were being pushed as facts, yet the representative or expert didn’t offer proof that the statements were true.
There needs to be a law put into place that if and when facts are challenged and the outcome of the decisions were made on falsehhoods, they need to be retracted until such time they can prove their point on truthful, substantiated facts. Any thoughts?
Thank you Janice Bellucci and ACSOL and all the people who wrote letters and made phone calls and especially those who showed up in Sacramento to represent and have their voices heard thanks ….but the WAR is not over AB 884 was defeated 3 to 4 that’s pretty scary especially when we have a year-and-a-half till the new law takes affec anything can happen so don’t get comfortable stay ready because they’ll be back
As our ACSOL or organization morphs into a political action organization, let us remember on election day who to vote out and who to support. The chair of the committee certainly deserves the support of us and our supporters
Reginald Sawyers Assembly district 50 https://a59.asmdc.org/
No Steve your responde was appropriate, call me out when I’m acting a fool making my dumb ass look even dumber. You’re right I spout at the mouth sometimes without thinking. Anyways thanks for understanding people. And Jack, no not CP, it’s that damn 288.2 that has me in tier III. I should have taken their deal way back then and I would not even have that. But instead my dumbass wanted to gight it with a PD and that’s why I have that.
Oh that’s such a bummer I’m so sorry mike.
Whoa Whoa, wait a minute. I just re read my post and they did not even post what I thought they did. I retract. I stand by every thing I stated. I was very specific about what I meant and who I was talking about and what I was talking about. All you guys are reading shit into my statement that was not there and that I did not state. That was the mellow and factual statement that they posted. I nowhere stated all 288(a)s are habitual, and everything I stated in that post is just facts. I also made clear in the first post and restated it in the next post just to be clear what I meant and you all are jut attacking me for shit I did not even state.
“And I am not talking about the ones that committed an offense against a teen who had reached estrus either. Those of the at least 12 and 13 year age who were thrown in with the actual pedophiles. Pedophilia is a disease. Bad judgement is just that bad judgement. Pedophilia and violent behavior such as sexual battery are diseases that need treatment”
This is facts. Maybe the politicians did have empirical evidence that CP and hands-off non- violent offenses have higher re-offense rates, I highly doubt that shit but I will give you that. Everything else was just facts and I was not attacking anyone except for the guy at that meeting and USA, I stand by my post after all. I am glad they did not post my others man there really would have been a firestorm with those. And I would have agreed and been apologetic, not for the one they posted though. Did not attack none on here except pointed out USA stated the registry is what keeps him from re-offending and pointing out his sexual battery offense that is restraining someone against their will and touching for sexual gratification and did not time or treatment, and the dude that was at that meeting that was blaming the victim and the system and describing his actions in enough detail that J had to stop him from speaking, he appeared extremely dangerous for re-offense. I think there are people that should have got more time and that should go thru treatment and have more serious offenses than non-contact, non-violent offenses that are in tier II while we are in tier III. Completely irrational to me and to any reasonable person I am sure. Get pissed at me or do what you have to do, but maybe you guys should actually read what I wrote before going on the attack. Same people always ready to attack. None of your statements are accurate as to what I stated.
And “Pedophilia and violent behavior such as sexual battery” are more serious offenses than non-contact, non-violent offenses no matter if you want to accept that or not. It is just the way it is. And I did not nor am I or have ever stated that every 288(a) fits that category and never even ca,e close to suggesting such a lame ass statement either, nor did I state they do not deserve relief or that everyone is this or that either, so get real with that nonsense crap. I am just pointing out a fact and my opinion, which I believe would be any reasonable mind’s opinion as well. You guys are way out how quick you take offense and want to attack that you put words in my mouth that I never stated and twist what I state so you can appear to be more righteous than myself or more sympathetic or empathetic when in reality I have sympathy and am just as empathetic as the next guy, I just state facts and common sense.
@Steve,”PS I know I react to you and I need to re-think that as well.”
Read my post, and I mean really read it, and see if this may have been the case. I am the first to admit my fallacies and mistakes, but this was not one of them.
I urge everyone to either call or fax a letter of thanks to the Chair. It’s one thing to call/write to voice your position. It’s another thing to call/write to express your thanks for their vote. I even asked the Chair’s office to put my email in their distribution list so that I have a chance to support his bills/campaigns as an expression of gratitude.
For all who are wondering like I was, I asked the receptionist/intern, “Naomi,” how each committee member voted. She had to ask around and finally got back to me. Here’s the breakdown:
Jones-Sawyer: No (D)
Kamlager-Dove: No (D)
Quirk: No (late vote) (D)
Wicks: No (late vote) (D)
Lackey: Yes (R)
Diep: Yes (R)
Bauer-Kahan: Yes (D)
Santiago: Didn’t vote (D)
Hello Acsol member April 9th was an amazing victory. Let’s take a moment to let that sink in. Thank you too our Wonderful president Mr. Chance Oberstein and everyone involved in this moment. How amazing that they’ll finally be relief for so many registrants.
This organization has worked hard over the years. Defeating Courts that say your less than. We know there is more to do. No case is better than the other. But for now lets enjoy this grande victory for the 288(a). I believe In this organization I know Chance Oberstein is working hard to get YOU the BEST POSSIBLE OUT COME. I thank every single person who showed up on behalf of their loved ones. Or for themselves. Or just because you know a change was necessary. Thank you ACSOL for being there when others turned their backs. Thanks you for being the face to stand up for the little guy.
And I do commend those that stopped that amendment. All those that called, wrote letters, and especially those that showed up are true warriors and it makes my attempt and time in court seem easier since I know others are not just sitting around crying about shit. And I am truly surprised at the effect your lobbying has had. I have been to many other meetings on homelessness back when I was a subject t Jessica’s Law and the counsel members and just the entire process seem irrelevant and just smoke and mirrors, but you guys/girls have made a difference without stepping into a court room. Never thought I would see anything to change unless it was thru the courts and forced on them. But you guys have changed the changed the game as you have pushed reason on these politicians and made them stop and think a little before passing this crap. I just hope there is an effort to get the non-contact and non-violent offenses moved as well. Not just CP either. Like I stated before it sounds a lot better and more reasonable in the minds of the public when stated non-contact and non-violent offenses because it does not conjure up visions and images of children being abused. Not just stating that because I have a 288.2, but because it is a fact.
Janice,
I do have to ask. I’ve contacted the sex management board and they are unable to answer my question. They recommended I contact an attorney. From my reading, if a (ie: sexual battery pc 243.4a is reduced to a misdemeanor pursuant to 17B, that’s your conviction. Although, what if someone expunged a felony? Or, what if you expunged a misdemeanor? In summary, how will the board view it? Or, is the law the law? This is something to think about. I have (big difference between a felony And misdemeanor when it comes to tier placement). Although, where will the expunged felon or expunged misdemeanors go?
Roger, thanks for all you do, (and also helping me get to the airport on time.) It was a pleasure getting totalk to you. Although I disagree with your characterization off this as a battle or war. War implies violence and trauma, and people getting hurt, which is objectionable to me. What I think of it as is Democracy in action or coalition building. We are trying to win people over, even those we think are enemies.
@Will Allen and others – Many people who obtain Certificates of Rehabilitation and are no longer required to register remain active in this civil rights movement. In fact, two people who fit this description are on the board of directors. Why? They truly understand the punishment of the registry and want to stop the punishment experienced by others. I expect more of the same after the Tiered Registry goes into effect.
@Will, I understand how you feel, because at times I have felt persecuted when I have been abused, such as a realtor I wrongly trusted caused. After a while my human nature is to stereotype people into bigger and bigger groups, becoming paranoia, but that makes me no better than those who stereotype me. My stereotyping prevents me from seeing things for the complexity that they actually are.
Yes, there are some people who would hate me if they knew I was a registrant, but the majority would just avoid me and avoid confrontation.
The cool thing is that there are a significant number who really do want social justice for registrants, and they are growing in number as we registrants take the risk to share with them who we are (in an appropriate situation, of course). We saw that when we won TWICE IN ONE DAY in Sacramento, due to the committees changing their perceptions of registrants.
Any major social change is like trying to push a giant boulder. At first, the inertia is veryhard to overcome, but with persistency, it builds up speed and eventually reaches a social inflection point where it spreads rapidly through society.
The perfect example is gay rights. Think of how gays were perceived before the 1960s. They were predators, waiting to lure children, just as registrants are thought of now by many. But after many years of Showing Up, Standing Up, and Speaking Up, gays are generally accepted in most of society. You can see this in the change of how gays are portrayed in media.
Our job as those who would make a massive social change is to keep pushing that boulder. It is only now starting to build momentum. We must keep doing everything we can to build that momentum.
If we do, our future will be much better. Not perfect, but better.
Here is a short video that demonstrates the power of one person to change many:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA8z7f7a2Pk
I hope you find it inspiring.