More than 60 registrants, family members and supporters met in the offices of 41 members of the California Assembly and Senate during Lobby Day 2023. The focus of the lobbying effort was to request improvements to the Tiered Registry Law which allows some registrants the ability to petition for removal from the registry.
“This is the largest number of people who have ever participated in Lobby Day,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. “And they showed up despite cold and wet weather.”
Lobby Day participants met in the offices of every newly elected member of both the Assembly and the Senate as well as every member of the Public Safety Committees in both bodies. During the meetings, legislators were asked to support seven proposed changes to the Tiered Registry, including, the reduction of several offenses from Tier 3 to a lower tier in order to allow registrants to petition for removal from the registry.
“It was important to educate the newly elected members regarding the truth about registrants before they are exposed to myths about registrants. For example, the rate of re-offense for registrants on parole is less than one percent according to the California Department of Corrections,” stated Bellucci. “And it was important to provide the members of the public safety committee with a report regarding problems with both the current language of the Tiered Registry Law as well as implementation of that law.”
During the meetings, legislators and staff were informed that the California Sex Offender Management Board, which was created by the legislature, supports three of the proposed changes to the Tiered Registry Law and is studying two additional proposed changes. In addition, they were informed that all seven of the proposed changes are supported by the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, which is a large and powerful non-profit organization.
For about two-thirds of the Lobby Day participants, Lobby Day 2023 was their first lobbying experience. All participants were provided with training and assigned to a team during the morning session and then lobbied in the afternoon. Each of the 12 lobbying teams was led by an individual who had lobbied in the past and each team included at least one registrant, one family member and a professional (attorney, psychologist, etc.) who supports them.
“ACSOL thanks each and every person who participated in Lobby Day 2023,” stated Bellucci. “Many seeds were planted during the legislative meetings and we expect those seeds to result in legislation that will improve the Tiered Registry Law.”
Download our updated point paper:
Point Paper – March 2023 (PDF)
That is fantastic. Love to hear people finding their voices and speaking out. It is not easy. Thank you to all who participated.
Great work Janice and everyone who attended! Is there any indication that these changes could still be brought up during the current legislative session? Any update on when CASOMB may formally advise the legislature on their support for changes?
I was ale to attend the lobby day with my husband who is a registrant and my sister. I was impressed with the training and materials we were provided prior to lobbying. I was part of a team that met with 4 assembly members and one senate member. I would gladly attend furure lobby days and recommend it to anyone who has the ability to help promote fairness in or tiered registry system. Shout out to my team leader Mark Judkins and to Janice Belucci and Catherine Caprenter. We can make a difference
Great event!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Many thanks to Janice etc aliia for exceptional planning, organization and execution!
And a special thanks to my truly extraordinary teammates:
M* & N*,
J*,
M*!
You were all amazing!!!
*Just initials, respecting everyone’s privacy.👍🏻
I was there and just the shock on staffers faces when they haven’t heard of CASOMB, the new tiers, or much of anything was eye opening.
They heard our side first before anyone else came in.
I will do my best to be back next year!
It was great seeing so many people who were willing to take the time to come to Sacramento! All those on my team were new to lobbying and were excited by the end of the day. They said they felt empowered and were making a difference.
Lobby Day
My team was very good. Our members covered the 7 proposed changes to the Tiered Registry Law. We pointed out that we were looking for both a sponsor and an author. Three of our team members were registrants and it was their first-time at lobbying.
Thank you Janice for this good opportunity to make a difference!
After the mtgs I’m sure the veteran politicians had conversations with new members and told them that supporting registration reduction is the quickest way to be a 1 term politician.
Thank you, Janice, Catherine, and all for representing the thousands of us forced to register! We are grateful!
Well done everyone! Sending gratitude and support from IL.
An afterthought from attending the Lobby day as a family member of a registrant. Would there be any benefit to having a similar event with the CASOMB, with registrants, family members and advocates sharing with the CASOMB how important the proposed changes to the Tiered registry is to registrants and their families and friends? I dont know if the CASOMB allows such public involvement but it seems it could only help if they were to hear from us.