California RSOL will be hosting this year’s RSOL Conference, from August 29 to September 1. The Conference will take place in Los Angeles, near LAX, and will provide an opportunity to interact and network with researchers, mental health professionals, criminal justice practitioners and advocates interested in reforming current law, policy, and treatment of former sexual offenders. We are certain that all will benefit from this opportunity to share, learn, and strategize with others from around the country. Early Bird registration is now open, until July 30, with significant savings for early…
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California RSOL Meeting June 22nd in Santa Maria
California RSOL’s next meeting will take place on June 22nd at 10 am in Santa Maria. The meeting is open and free of charge to all registrants, friends and family, and supporters. Media and government officials are not invited. The meeting will cover topics of interest to registrants, such as pending legislation, current lawsuits and other issues that impact the lives of 290 registrants. Saturday, June 22nd, 10 a.m.1165 Stubblefield Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455
Read MoreSenate Farm Bill to deny food assistance to anyone convicted of certain federal or state crimes
The United States Senate has agreed to Sen. David Vitter’s Amendment 1056 to the 2013 Farm Bill. The amendment would deny food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) for life to anyone convicted of certain federal or state crimes.If the amendment makes it out of the Senate, it may be too late to keep it from becoming law. And like previous successful efforts to impose these kinds of devastating barriers on people with criminal records and their families, we may be fighting to roll this back for decades to come. Your help is needed to…
Read MoreCalifornia RSOL Lobbies for Tiered Registry Bill
Ten individuals representing California RSOL are lobbying in Sacramento in support of a tiered registry bill, AB 702. The bill, as currently written, would remove some individuals from the registry after 10 or 20 years after their release from prison, probation and/or parole. “It is great to have two teams of individuals, including registrants and family members, lobbying in support of the tiered registry bill,” stated Janice Bellucci, President of CA RSOL. “We are educating elected officials and members of their staff regarding the need for a tiered registry.” AB…
Read MoreCity of Palmdale to Consider Repeal of Sex Offender Ordinance
The City Council of Palmdale will formally consider during its May 1 meeting a complete repeal of its sex offender ordinance. The ordinance is broad in that it includes both residency and presence restrictions. “It is essential that the City of Palmdale repeal the ordinance on May 1 in order to correct the mistakes made in its passage,” stated President Janice Bellucci. “The current ordinance violates both the federal and state constitutions.” California RSOL met with city officials in early April to discuss the ordinance and stated that the ordinance…
Read MoreCalifornia to Host National RSOL Conference
Sign up now: Conference Registration – More Details: Conference Information – National RSOL The 5th Annual Reform Sex Offender Laws Conference, “Justice For All”, will be held in Los Angeles during Labor Day weekend. The conference will begin on Thursday, August 29, with an evening social gathering and continue through noon on Sunday, September 1. The conference will be held at the Westin Hotel near LAX airport. “This is an excellent opportunity for registrants and family members of registrants to learn about the laws and policies that affect their daily lives,” stated…
Read MoreTiered Registry Bill Introduced
A tiered registry bill, which would end the state’s lifetime registry, has been introduced in the state Assembly. The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public hearing on the bill (AB 702) on April 16 in Sacramento. If passed, the bill would create three tiers in which some registrants would be removed from the registry after 10 or 20 years. The language in the bill is similar to AB 625 which was defeated in 2012. “Passage of a tiered registry bill is the highest priority of California RSOL and the…
Read MoreCA RSOL Meeting in San Diego on April 13
California RSOL will hold its monthly meeting for April in San Diego, on April 13. It will be held at 1155 Island Avenue, Room 229, in downtown San Diego, 92101 at 10 am. As always, topics will include issues of importance to registrants, including updates on current litigation. Only registrants, their friends and families and supporters are invited to attend. No media or government officials are allowed. There is no charge to attend the meeting.
Read MoreCalifornia RSOL Meeting May 18 – Los Angeles
California RSOL will return to L.A. on May 18. The meeting will be held at ACLU building at 1313 W. 8th Street and start at 10 a.m. As always, topics of discussion will include issues of importance to registrants and their family members, such as parole conditions and residency restrictions, as well as news about pending legislation and litigation. Attendance is free of charge and restricted to registrants and their friends / family / supporters. No media or government officials are allowed. Hope to see you there!
Read MorePending State Legislation
Below is a summary of bills pending in the California Legislature and CA RSOL’s position on each proposed bill. Get involved! CA RSOL OPPOSES AB 201 – This bill would state that a local agency is not preempted by state law from enacting and enforcing an ordinance that restricts a registered sex offender from residing or being present at certain locations within the local agency’s jurisdiction. The bill would authorize a local agency to adopt ordinances, rules, or regulations that are more restrictive than state law relating to a registered…
Read MoreCalifornia RSOL Meeting in Los Angeles – March 16
California RSOL will return to Los Angeles on March 16 for a regular monthly meeting. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and be held at the ACLU Building, 1313 W. 8th Street, Los Angeles. The meeting is open to registrants, family members and supporters only. No media or government officials are allowed to attend. As usual, the meeting will focus upon issues of importance to registrants, such as residency restrictions and conditions of parole/probation, as well as family members. There is no charge to attend the meeting.
Read MoreCalifornia State Senate Bill Would Allow Cities, Counties to Enact Park Bans [UPDATED with Reasons to Oppose]
[See UPDATE below] State senator Lou Correa of Orange County introduced a bill on February 20 that would allow cities and counties to enact laws that ban registrants from public places such as parks, museums and libraries. The bill, SB 386, was initially sent to the Senate Rules Committee and is expected to be referred to the Senate Public Safety Committee next week. “The bill, if passed, could allow ordinances, such as the Orange County park ban, to continue,” stated Janice Bellucci, President of California Reform Sex Offender Laws. “It must…
Read MoreHuntington Beach City Council Hearing – February 4
California RSOL will attend the Huntington Beach City Council Hearing and speak at the second reading of the proposed modification of the the Ordinance prohibiting registrants to enter public parks and places. Come join us at 6 pm on Monday, February 4th! 6:00 PM – Regular MeetingCouncil Chambers – 2000 Main StreetHuntington Beach, CA 92648 Agenda
Read MoreCalifornia RSOL Meeting in Santa Maria on February 23
The first California RSOL meeting in Santa Maria will take place on February 23, 2013 at 9 am. As always, the meeting will focus upon issues of importance to registrants, such as residency restrictions and conditions of parole/probation and the status of pending lawsuit. Registrants, family members and supporters are invited to attend this free meeting. There will be no media or government officials. The meeting will be held at 1165 Stubblefield Road, Santa Maria, CA 93455, which is at the Unity Church near the intersection of Bradley and Stubblefield. Please…
Read More[UPDATE 2 with Hearing Date] Court of Appeals to Review Orange County Ordinance
UPDATE 2: This case is now calendared for Thursday, 9-26-13 at 1:00 p.m.http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=43&doc_id=2030448&doc_no=G047657 *** UPDATE: This case will be heard on Monday, July 22, 2013 at 1:00 pm in the 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 3, Santa Ana, California. 4th District Div 3, 601 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, California 92701, Clerk’s Office (714) 571-2600http://www.courts.ca.gov/4dca.htm The California Court of Appeals has decided to review the ordinance passed by Orange County which prohibits all registrants from entering county parks, beaches, harbors and other recreational areas. The opening brief from the Office of the Public…
Read MoreCA RSOL Meeting in Bakersfield Feb 9, 2013
California RSOL will hold its first meeting in Bakersfield on February 9th, 2013. The meeting will focus upon issues of importance to registrants, such as residency restrictions and conditions of parole/probation, as well as family members. The meeting will be held at 925 17th Street, Bakersfield (please note address change on Nov 27) beginning at 10 a.m. There will be no media or government officials at the meeting. Attendance at the meeting is free. Hope to see you there!
Read MoreCA RSOL Meeting in LA January 19 [UPDATED]
Attorney Alex Landon will join California RSOL at its January 19 meeting in Los Angeles. Landon is a distinguished author as well as professor at the University of San Diego School of Law. He is a recognized expert on sex offender laws as is reflected in the book, “A Parallel Universe”, which he co-authored with noted journalist Elaine Halleck. Landon will make a short presentation during the meeting regarding current legal issues that challenge registrants and members of their families as well as describe why he wrote a book about…
Read MoreProposition 35
The California ballot includes a proposition that would require all registrants to disclose internet activities and identities within 24 hours of its passage. This requirement is hidden within Proposition 35 which states its focus is upon stopping human trafficking. The proposition would also require anyone convicted as a sex trafficker to register as a sex offender. Supporters of this proposition include the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association and the Police Officers Research Association. It is not surprising then that fines collected from sex traffickers will be used for law enforcement! …
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