Today the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee approved a newly amended version of Senate Bill 145 (SB 145) that eliminated all references to residency restrictions. Specifically, the newly amended version eliminated Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the bill. “This is a great victory for registrants and their families who no longer need to worry that SB 145 would cause them to be homeless,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. In the introduction of his bill, Senator Scott Wiener apologized to “everyone who could have been affected” for language in a…
Read MoreMonth: July 2019
FL: DeBary ordinance expands sex offender regulations
DeBary’s City Council passed an ordinance expanding regulations over registered sex offenders. The ordinance bans registered sex offenders from community pools, water parks, school bus stops, and other private and public areas. The ordinance also increases the distance sex offenders can live from these places. Full Article
Read MoreNY: NY Sex Offenders Don’t Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says
[dailyvoice.com – 7/8/19] People convicted of sexual offenses in New York will not have to disclose their status and will be permitted to use their Facebook accounts provided they don’t use a false name. The New York State Supreme Court unanimously made the ruling on Thursday, June 27, after a man from Ticonderoga was charged for failing to disclose to state officials that he used the social media website. His case has since been dismissed. Read more Related links: Where sex offenders don’t socially register [observertoday.com – 7/7/19]
Read MoreSUCCESS! Your calls worked! ACSOL supports SB 145 again because residency restrictions are removed! But still come July 9!
Newly Revised SB 145 Deletes References to Residency Restrictions! Senate Bill 145 was revised today by deleting all references in that bill to both residency restrictions and Jessica’s Law. Specifically, Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the earlier version of the bill have been removed. The newly revised version of SB 145 will be considered on July 9 by the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee. “This is a significant victory for registrants and their families,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “This victory came about due to the efforts of individuals…
Read MoreKat’s Blog: The Media Loves To Hate “Sex Offenders”
The manner in which news about sexual offenses is reported by the media affects public opinion and perception of “sex offenders”. Registrants seldom receive good press and it seems too often that “as the media goes, so goes the law.” While re-offense rates for registrants are on the decline compared to other types of offenses, news media ignores and fails to report these facts. Positive facts about registrants just don’t make for eye-catching headlines, they don’t create the hype and moral panic that media relies on to sustain its self.…
Read MoreWI: City must set aside emotion on sex offenders
[lakegenevanews.net – 7/3/19] I know how people feel about sex offenders. I agree that sex crimes are reprehensible, especially those in which children are the victims. Such offenders often face long prison sentences or long commitments inside mental health treatment centers. And rightfully so. But after they are released from custody — after they have paid their dues to society — these offenders have rights just like any other American citizen. Among other things, they have a right to live wherever they choose. I know that is difficult to hear.…
Read MoreAR: Arkansas woman must register as sex offender after trying to frame husband for child porn, rape
[wreg.com – 7/2/19] BENTONVILLE, Ark. — An Arkansas woman was given six years probation for trying to frame her husband by downloading child pornography on his cellphone and telling authorities he raped a 13-year-old girl. Cherie Renee Bolton, 34, of Siloam Springs, pleaded guilty last week in Benton County Circuit Court to distributing, possessing or viewing child pornography and filing a false police report. Bolton must register as a sex offender and pay more than $2,000 in fines and court fees. Judge Brad Karren also ordered that Bolton must serve…
Read MoreNo Havens for Registered Persons: Why “Most ‘Sex Offenders’ Per Capita” is a Meaningless Statistic
[sosen.org – 7/1/19] A Patch.com article entitled “Sex Offenders: How Illinois Ranks On Registry,” published June 27, 2019, proclaims that Illinois ranks 25th, smack dab in the middle of the list for most registered persons per capita. The article cited ASecureLife, a private website that reviews (and promotes) various security products. In turn, ASecureLife cited the stats from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The statistic has no real meaning, quite frankly. In 2011, Indiana, the state next to Illinois, endured the tragic murder of Aliahna Lemmon. The…
Read MoreCA: City of San Diego Asserts that SB 145 Will Allow Cities to Adopt Residency Restrictions for All Registrants
[ACSOL – 7/2/19] In a motion filed today in federal district court, the City of San Diego asserted that the current language of SB 145 would allow cities to adopt new residency restrictions that apply to all registrants, not just registrants currently on parole. The City’s motion was filed in response to a motion filed last week by the plaintiffs for partial summary judgement. The plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment was based upon a state appellate court ruling that limits the application of residency restrictions to registrants while they…
Read More[UPDATED 7/5/19] EMERGENCY Action Alert: ACSOL reverses position on SB 145! Please make calls now!
SUCCESS! Your calls worked! We support SB 145 again because residency restrictions are removed! Read about our new strategy
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