SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —When parents drop their children off at school, they might know who else is in the classroom — but KCRA 3’s investigative team has found your child might be sharing a class with a convicted sex offender. Some parents may never know. These offenders don’t show up on the Megan’s Law website or anywhere on the Internet, and by law, the schools can’t tell you who they are. Full Article
Read MoreCategory: California
Assembly Local Government Committee passes AB 201
*** Please read Janice’s Journal: Courage and Effort do Pay Off… *** Despite testimony from ACLU and California RSOL, a second legislative committee today approved a bill (AB 201) that would allow cities and counties to pass laws prohibiting registered citizens from being present in or near public and private places. Ten individuals, including registered citizens, also testified in opposition to that bill. The Assembly Local Government Committee approved the bill in a vote of 5 to 0. One member of the committee, Richard Gordon (Democrat, Los Altos), abstained from…
Read MoreSB 267 – New Hearing Date: Tuesday, May 12
The Senate Public Safety Committee has delayed its consideration of SB 267 by two weeks. The new hearing date for that bill is May 12. No reason has been given for the delay. The Assembly Local Government Committee is still scheduled to hear AB 201 on April 29 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 447 of the State Capitol. Both bills, if passed, would allow cities and counties to pass “presence restrictions” that could prohibit registered citizens from being present in or near both public and private places.
Read MoreNew California Supreme Court surprises analysts early on
When Gov. Jerry Brown’s two latest nominees joined the California Supreme Court in January, legal analysts foresaw the creation of a more liberal majority. … During a closed session last week, Kruger joined the more conservative justices in refusing to revisit a decision that said adults who have consensual oral sex with minors must register as sex offenders — even though registration is not mandatory for adults who have sexual intercourse with people in the same age group. Full Article
Read MoreAfter sex offenders accused of killing 4 women, state bill would crack down on those who tamper with GPS monitors [UPDATED]
Following a high-profile murder case involving two Orange County parolees, state lawmakers are again considering more time behind bars for sex offenders who tamper with GPS monitoring devices. Offenders currently face a mandatory six months in jail for removing or disabling GPS bracelets. But under a bill introduced this year by state Sen. Pat Bates of Laguna Niguel, they could face up to three years in prison. … Bates called the state’s current penalties for tampering with GPS monitoring devices a “slap on the wrist” and argued that elevating the…
Read MoreState high court passes up chance to go easier on sex offenders
A divided state Supreme Court voted Wednesday to leave intact a ruling requiring lifetime registration for certain non-forcible sex offenders, an issue that split Gov. Jerry Brown’s two most recent appointees. The court had voted 5-2 on Jan. 29 to reinstate a 1947 California law requiring anyone convicted of non-forcible oral copulation with a minor to register with police as a sex offender. Registration, which is also mandatory for violent sex offenders, enters their names and addresses on a publicly available database and prohibits them from living near a school…
Read MoreLegislative Committees to Consider Presence Restriction Bills
Two state legislative committees will soon consider bills that would allow, but not require, cities and counties to adopt “presence restrictions”. On April 28, the Senate Public Safety Committee will consider SB 267 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 3191. ***** Please note the change of date for SB 267 ******* “The Senate Governance and Finance Committee approved SB 267 on April 15 and if the bill is also approve by the Senate Public Safety Committee, it will move to the Senate floor for a vote,” stated California RSOL president Janice…
Read MoreCA RSOL Meeting June 20 in San Diego
Please join us for our monthly CA RSOL meeting on June 20 in San Diego. It will take place at Cal Western School of Law on Saturday, room LH2 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This meeting is open to registrants, friends and family and supporters. Media and government officials are not invited in order to preserve attendee’s privacy. This is a great opportunity to network and learn about CA RSOL’s latest activities as well as news on the legal and legislative front. June 20, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m…
Read MoreJessica’s Law status is uncertain
California Attorney General Kamala Harris is refusing to release an unpublished opinion that is being cited by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for changing sex offender release policies. A recent state Supreme Court ruling that struck down a blanket ban on registered sex offenders living near schools or parks in San Diego County has muddied the issue of residency restrictions for prison officials and civic leaders. In early March, the high court ruled In re Taylor that blanket enforcement of Jessica’s Law’s mandatory distance requirements impeded the constitutional…
Read MoreMore sex offenders in rural areas
The rural communities on the edges of the High Desert have higher percentages of residents who are registered sex offenders when compared to larger cities in the area and to similarly sized communities elsewhere in the state, Megan’s Law website statistics show. Data also show that smaller local communities have larger percentages of sex offenders than the overall average in the state. Full Article
Read MoreCalifornia grapples with where sex offenders can reside
SAN FRANCISCO – California cities and counties are grappling with how far they can go to restrict where sex offenders can live amid a shifting legal landscape. The California Supreme Court last month struck down San Diego’s blanket enforcement of a state law banning registered sex offenders from living near schools or parks. The Supreme Court said sex offenders can still be banned from living near parks and schools, but such a determination must be made on a case-by-case basis. Full Article
Read MoreCounty unaffected by sex offender ruling
Lake County >> Even though the county has the highest number of sex offenders when compared to its neighbors, the recent loosening of housing restrictions will not cause any notable change in Lake County. “The supreme court’s decision doesn’t affect us,” Lake County Chief Probation Officer Rob Howe said. “With the current supervised population, there is no affect in Lake County, not to say that it couldn’t in the future.” California voters passed Jessica’s Law in 2006 with the intention of protecting children from predators; however, there is no data…
Read MoreBoard Repeals Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to nullify an ordinance prohibiting convicted sex offenders from living in close proximity to schools and parks. On a 4-0 vote, with Supervisor John Tavaglione absent, the board followed a recommendation from Riverside County Counsel Greg Priamos that Ordinance 902 be invalidated effective May 7. Priamos proposed the repeal based on a California Supreme Court finding that residency restrictions were no longer enforceable, except in narrowly defined circumstances. Full Article
Read MoreSharon Runner Demands Transparency from Corrections Department
SACRAMENTO – Senator Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster) has called upon the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to provide insight into its decision to terminate enforcement of the uniform sex offender residency restrictions under Jessica’s Law. “I was alarmed by CDCR’s sweeping decision to stop enforcing the people’s will as expressed in Jessica’s Law,” said Runner. “The residency restrictions in Jessica’s Law provide important peace of mind for California’s families.” Full Article
Read MoreLet local governments set safety zones for children: Guest commentary
California’s sex offender laws are blanket policies that may not properly capture all of the nuances needed in various communities. While the state has laws that restrict where sex offenders can live, it is clear that communities know best where local children are most vulnerable and it is critical that local authorities have the necessary tools to protect them. Jessica’s Law already prohibits registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of schools and parks, but it does not restrict them from spending time in parks, community centers or other…
Read MoreBEAUMONT: Council to weigh sex offender residency restrictions [UPDATED]
The Beaumont City Council may repeal local sex offender residency restrictions when it meets on Tuesday, April 7. The state Supreme Court has ruled such regulations are unconstitutional. Full Article April 9: BEAUMONT: City set to repeal sex offender residency restrictions (First Reading) City Council Hearing / at 71:20 (with reference to Presence lawsuits)
Read MoreCalifornia’s Sane New Approach to Sex Offenders
And why no other state is following its example. – Last week, California officials announced that the state would allow some sex offenders to live within 2,000 feet of schools and parks for the first time since 2006, making it easier for them to find housing. High-risk sex offenders and those whose crimes involved children under the age of 14 will still be subject to the residency restrictions, which were introduced as part of a voter-initiative known as as Jessica’s Law—but all others will be granted exemptions on a case-by-case…
Read MoreChanges to law impacts where sex offenders can live
REDDING, Calif. – Under Jessica’s Law, a voter-approved mandate passed in 2008, registered sex offenders are not allowed to live within 2,000 feet of schools or parks where children are. Last week, California officials announced significant changes to the law including changes to where registered sex offenders can live. Full Article
Read More