The California Senate Public Safety Committee has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday, May 27 at 9:00 AM during which Senate Bill 853 (SB 853) will be considered. If the bill is passed, the duration of Protective Orders issued in cases involving sex offenses and other crimes would be significantly increased from a maximum of 10 years to life, depending upon the conviction for which a person is required to register.
This bill was introduced by Senator Hurtado, a Democrat whose district includes Fresno, in January 2020. The principal coauthor of the bill is Senator Rubio, a Democrat whose district includes West Covina. The bill also has three Senate coauthors and two Assembly coauthors.
“We must stop this bill,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “If the bill is passed, individuals who have protective orders issued against them could be extended for life.”
In order to stop the bill, registrants, family members and supporters are asked to send a letter of opposition to the Senate Public Safety Committee using one of the following methods:
Mailing to:
Senate Public Safety Committee
State Capitol Room 2031
Sacramento, CA 95814
Hand delivery to the Committee’s Office Room 2031 of the State Capitol
Letters must be received by the Committee no later than May 26.
The Committee hearing can be viewed online or listened to by calling 877-336-4441 and using access code 6775069. The Committee requests that callers mute their phones in order to avoid background noise.
Sample letter in PDF (updated 5/21/20 to remove the lifetime GPS monitoring comment):
SB 853 – Opposition – 20 May 2020_000419
Also, please call all the Senate Public Safety Committee members and state your opposition to Senate Bill 853 (the first number is the local office, which seems to get through easier than the second number of the state capitol):
Senator Nancy Skinner (Chair) (510) 286-1333, (916) 651-4009
Senator John M. W. Moorlach (Vice Chair) 714.662.6050, (916) 651-4037
Senator Steven Bradford (310) 412-6120, (916) 651-4035
Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (805) 965-0862, (916) 651-4019
Senator Holly J. Mitchell (213) 745-6656, (916) 651-4030
Senator Mike Morrell 909.919.7731, (916) 651-4023
Senator Scott D. Wiener (415) 557-1300, (916) 651-4011
https://spsf.senate.ca.gov/ has links to the Senators’ websites.
The Committee hearing is available these ways:
- View online: GO to www.senate.ca.gov no earlier than a few minutes before the session at 9:00 AM and click on the link you will see under Today’s Events
- Listen to the teleconference to by calling [this is updated 5/26] 844-291-6364 and using access code 6226558. The Committee requests that callers mute their phones in order to avoid background noise.
- TV: If you are in Sacramento, watch it on Sacramento channels,
I called and opposed. Looks like the bill didn’t pass today and can’t be reconsidered again this year. Thanks to those who called, wrote, and/or participated in today’s hearing.
congratulations Janice. great job — and not an easy one