FL: Lawmakers take another try at identifying what is ‘harmful to minors’

Source: floridaphoenix.com 1/27/26 Access by children to library materials could be at stake.   A Florida House committee sent to the House floor a bill that would define how school library materials may be “harmful to minors,” building on a controversial 2023 law that led to removal of library books from schools based on objections from the public.  The House Education & Employment Committee approved HB 1119, its second and final committee, despite concerns from the public, some lawmakers, and advocacy groups that the bill may be used to eliminate books…

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CA: New Lawsuit Challenges Fresno County Ordinance

Source: ACSOL A new lawsuit has been sent to Fresno County Superior Court challenging an ordinance adopted by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.  That ordinance would significantly limit housing options for persons required to register who reside in that county.  The ordinance will become effective on February 5. The ordinance was adopted after two public hearings conducted by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.  During the first public hearing, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors stated that all registrants are dirtbags and should not be allowed to…

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Changing Views of Sex Offender Policies: A Counterevidence Based Intervention

Source: tandfonline.com 10/14/25 Abstract Sexual offender policies, like registration, are highly popular, but generally ineffective. It would be advantageous to decrease support for these policies and increase support for empirically supported ones. Past attempts to reduce support for these policies have resulted in only modest effects. The current studies designed an intervention to more substantially reduce support. In two studies, participants either read a refutation-style text that provided counterevidence to misconceptions about sexual offenders and offenses, or an information only text defining residency restriction laws, registration laws, and treatments for…

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KY: Sixth Circuit reinstates Kentucky ban on anonymous social media use by sex offenders

Source: floridaactioncommittee.org 1/27/26 A proposed class of convicted sex offenders failed to meet the high bar required for broad injunctive relief when it made a facial challenge to a Kentucky law that bans their anonymous use of social media, according to a ruling Monday from the Sixth Circuit. A panel of the appeals court vacated a preliminary injunction granted by U.S. District Judge Greg Stivers. An anonymous plaintiff filed suit on behalf of a class shortly after Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear signed Senate Bill 249 into law and required…

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