The Brief:
- A newly active Florida law bans sex offenders convicted of crimes against minors from living within 1,000 feet of a public swimming pool.
- Supporters call the law common-sense protection for children.
- Opponents claim it could increase offender homelessness and make them harder to track.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A controversial new housing restriction went into effect across Florida, prohibiting specific sex offenders from residing within 1,000 feet of public swimming pools and splash pads.
New Florida restriction details
What we know:
Florida law already banned sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, and playgrounds. The latest restriction extends that 1,000-foot exclusionary zone to include public swimming pools and splash pads.
The primary House sponsor, State Rep. Rachel Plakon (R-Seminole), stressed that the new law targets specific offenses. As written, it applies to offenders who have committed crimes against a minor. This can include repeat sexual predators as well as individuals convicted of a single offense.
The new law was driven by Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, who experienced a legal setback when trying to prevent a sex offender from living near a pool. A court ruled at …
Common sense isn’t common in the state down under red tide or some kind of brain eating parasite in the state of Floriduh. Let’s ban registrants of being in bathrooms since they are one flush away from entering water pipes.