We did it! We stopped CA Assembly Bill 1568! Victory is Ours!
This was a battle well fought by members of the registrant community against a force that was much larger and powerful.
How did we win?
By showing up, standing up and speaking up.
We made phone calls, we sent emails and we delivered letters to state legislators who appeared to be ignoring our efforts to stop the bill. Instead, they passed the bill at every opportunity. Not by a majority, but by unanimous vote, in the Assembly Public Safety Committee, the Appropriations Committee and the floor of the Assembly.
Given these unanimous votes in support of AB 1568, all appeared to be lost when the bill was scheduled to be considered by the Senate Public Safety Committee. We then learned there was more bad news: more than 20 law enforcement organizations, the District Attorneys Association and the Sex Offender Management Board formally supported AB 1568.
Despite these odds, we did not give up. Instead, we made more phone calls, we sent more emails and we delivered more letters. We prepared to speak at the Senat Public Safety Committee hearing.
Then we received unexpected and exciting news — the author of the bill gave up. He withdrew his bill the day before it was to be considered by the Senate Public Safety Committee. As a result, AB 1568 is dead and cannot be considered by the legislature this year.
We do not know the exact reason the bill’s author withdrew AB 1568. Perhaps we never will. What we do know is that in addition to our efforts, the committee analysis issued two days before the committee hearing may have helped our cause.
The analysis described AB 1568 as a “bill that appears to address a problem that may not exist.” The analysis warned that the lack of clarity in the bill language “could only be answered through costly and burdensome litigation.”
Whatever the reason, AB 1568 has been stopped! It’s time to acknowledge and savor the significant victory we have won. Congratulations to the registrant community!
Hallelujah
That bill caused us great angst especially since my husband had moved to CA 18 months ago. Still waiting on a tier assignment which we hope will be favorable to petition of the registry before we make our move permanent. We thought all was lost especially our retirement income in maintaining a residence in CA. Thank you! Now if only DOJ would get off their behinds and tier my husband!
Our next hope is a negotiated settlement in Az to remove retroactivity that put Level one on public site two years ago. Plus a few other bad bills being litigated. Hoping for good news later this month for Arizona.
CASE UPDATES Jane Doe, et al. V. Mayes, et. al., CV-24-02259-PHX-MTL Doe v.
Sheridan, CV-23-01938-PHX-SMM
Nice! We will take a win anyway we can get it!
YAY! A nice victory and one we needed to get. Truely thought we had no way to win when I left for Sac yesterday. The best part of the day was getting the news that the bill was withdrawn. Rush hour Los Angeles traffic did not even dampen the elation. WE did it. YAY! again.
Great news for CA! Way to fight until the end. Best from Floriduh.