Source: ACSOL
Governor Gavin Newsom today signed Senate Bill 680 that will expand the sex offender registry starting on January 1, 2026. That bill will require individuals convicted of Penal 261.5, unlawful intercourse, on or after that date to register. The bill also states that individuals convicted of that offense will be assigned to Tier 1 which requires registration for at least 10 years.
“While we regret that this bill has become law today, we are grateful that the original bill was amended to ensure that those previously convicted of Penal Code 261.5 will not be required to register,” stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci.
ACSOL, ACLU and allies opposed Senate Bill 680 and testified against the bill during several Senate and Assembly hearings. Senate Bill 680 was supported, in large part, by law enforcement and district attorneys.
Nothing but political cred for election season to be used by those who feel they need it most because they cannot run on anything else.
So happy that ex post facto rights were respected and that only future violators will be placed in Tier 1. They will do just fine.
Still, it’s so odd that someone who did not 1) have sex with, or 2) commit a lewd act on, or 3) photograph/film a minor over the age of 16, is placed in Tier 3.
Surely there’s a legislator out there who would be OK with creating a Tier 3 exemption for those with original felony 288.2 (a) (2) violations where the minor was over 16 and the offense was not tied to any other completed or attempted sex crimes? Fox News isn’t going to bang their door over that, I’d hope.
Especially now that we have still another attempted murder case.
This bill is for the rich and there power lawyers, It’s actually a good thing, let them flood the registry. Soon they’ll have to make an off ramp for tier 3’s.
Sad as all of them seem to be whether Democrat or Republican in law enforcement’s payroll. Just follow the money trail.
Excuse me but… “those previously convicted of Penal Code 261.5 will not be required to register”!?
So, SOME PFR are mandated to perform duties in this “public safety” state agency (SORA/SORNA) for crimes they were convicted of in the past, while others are not?!?
Does anyone else smell an Equal Protection violation right there?
What is the determining factor that makes a person qualify for registration duties within this agency? Simply the date of their conviction? Does that truly make a person more or less qualified to mandate duties to serve in this agency?
Always keep in mind that mandated registration duties are not punishment for an offense. It IS a public safety service you are providing to the public for your government. Your conviction is what qualifies you for the position of registrant within this agency.
This makes you an agent of the state!
The state created the definition of a Person Forced to Register (PFR) along with the duties for this position. Just like ALL the other positions within this agency.
Hope everyone is including this under their employment section on the yearly renewal of the registration contract, because you are required to, even if not compensated for your service.
Then there’s still the unanswered issue of payment for mandated “CIVIL” services rendered (state-mandated duties)!?
How can the state justify paying some of the agents performing duties within its SORA agency while excluding those it mandated to perform duties in the same state agency?
The state mandates these duties from those with “qualifying” convictions under threat of imprisonment, so it cannot claim PFR are volunteers! PFR are legally DRAFTED for service!
On duty 24/7 to serve in the state’s compelling interest of public safety!
What is a civil service job?
Key aspects of civil service jobs Merit-based hiring : Candidates are selected based on qualifications ( qualifying convictions), skills, and merit, not political affiliation. Public service : Civil servants are responsible for delivering a wide range of services to the public, from administrative support to public safety and national security.
Remember, registration is a “civil” service for public safety that you were drafted for based on your qualification, nothing more, and in the words of Judge Judy, “the days of slavery are over in this country, you must pay for services you received. ”
Send the state your bills for services rendered and remember the state has left the rate for each duty open for you to decide what its value is to you. That was actually quite fair of them…
What is absolutely UNfair is the fact that the legislature created legislation attempting to protect SOME members of the public by sacrificing the safety of other members of the public! Undisputably, another equal protection violation..
It’s going to become ugly the hit list grows
It’s sad but at least just tier one. I still don’t understand how (arrange to meet up with the intent to commit a crime) is a tier 3 for life, yet this is only a tier 1. Reform is drastically needed asap.
Why is “sexual intercourse” with a minor a non-registrable offense and “lewd conduct” or fondling is a Tier-3 lifetime registration?
Way to go! Just think of all of the lives that are about to be destroyed by yet another senseless piece of legislation!