Discover how some states and cities pass legislation—ranging from quirky to serious—designed to ensure a safe Halloween for all.
By Ann O’Connell, Attorney UC Berkeley School of Law
Updated 10/24/2025
Halloween—the one night a year when it’s socially acceptable to dress as a monster and demand candy from strangers. But before you grab your plastic pumpkin and hit the streets, you might want to check your local laws. Across America, dozens of cities and towns have ordinances that could turn innocent trick-or-treating into a criminal offense. From age restrictions that would make a teenager a lawbreaker to curfews stricter than your parents ever imposed, Halloween is surprisingly regulated in some areas.
And then there are the serious laws—state- and local-level restrictions designed to keep children safe by prohibiting convicted sex offenders from participating in Halloween activities. These laws serve a critical public safety function, even if they don’t get as much attention as the quirky municipal codes.
Here’s a glimpse into the fascinating (and sometimes bewildering) world of Halloween law…
The Serious Side—Registered Sex Offender Restrictions on Halloween
Now we turn from the quirky to the critical. Numerous states have enacted laws specifically restricting registered sex offenders—particularly those on parole or probation—from participating in Halloween activities. These laws serve a legitimate public safety purpose: keeping children safe during a holiday when they’re going door-to-door in the dark.
California’s “Operation Boo”
California has the longest-running and most comprehensive Halloween sex offender program in the nation. “Operation Boo” is administered by the California Department of Corrections (CDCR) and Rehabilitation’s Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO).
According to a CDCR press release, on October 31, 2024, 306 parole agents, along with local law enforcement partners, conducted compliance checks on sex offenders under supervision. The results showed that 96% of the supervised persons were in compliance.
Under California’s Operation Boo, sex offender parolees who are prohibited from contact with minors must comply with strict conditions on Halloween night, including:
mandatory curfew from 5:00 p.m. on October 31 to 5:00 a.m. on November 1
must remain indoors during curfew hours
all exterior home lights must be turned off to discourage children from approaching
can’t offer Halloween candy
can’t display Halloween decorations, and
may only open the door to law enforcement conducting compliance checks.
Violations can result in parole revocation and criminal charges. It is unclear whether Operation Boo will continue this year.
Other States’ Halloween Sex Offender Laws
Many other states have laws that limit the actions of convicted sex offenders on Halloween. These laws often require sex offenders to stay home with their lights off, prohibit them from passing out candy, and ban them from wearing costumes on Halloween. For example, the Tennessee Department of Correction’s (TDOC) “Operation Black Out” has historically prohibited offenders from participating in Halloween parties or attractions such as corn mazes, and TDOC officers have performed hundreds of compliance checks on Halloween. Similarly, New York’s “Halloween: Zero Tolerance” program has made unannounced home visits and calls to enforce Halloween-related restrictions.
Even if there’s no statewide law, there might be a …
All these restrictions on PFR when NO child has been hurt on Halloween by a PFR since 1976. Kids are more in danger getting hit by a car!
In over 250 Halloweens, there has NEVER been a sexual assault or attempt against a trick-or-treater by a person with priors (Note: Lisa French’s assailant had no priors at the time). Yet, they are killed and injured by drunk drivers and caught in drive-by shooting crossfire every year and LE does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to try to prevent it.
I honestly don’t know if I should laugh or cry about that.
Does Operation Boo in CA extend to people off paper? Are PFRs off paper harassed on Halloween in CA?
“These laws serve a legitimate public safety purpose: keeping children safe during a holiday when they’re going door-to-door in the dark:”
Actually, that’s a debunked and fradulent assertion.
Even if it WERE true, there is no evidentariy data to support that nebulous statement.
Modern Halloween functions have segued into the “Trunk R Treat” model anyway.