Source: idahocapitalsun.com 3/27/25 Widely supported in the Idaho Legislature, the bill is likely to face a constitutional challenge, lawmakers acknowledge. But they are hopeful law will prevail. Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed into law a bill to make people who sexually abuse young children in Idaho eligible for the death penalty. House Bill 380 will allow the death penalty in a new criminal charge the bill creates: aggravated lewd conduct with children age 12 and younger. The bill also would add mandatory minimum prison sentences for cases of aggravated lewd…
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MO: Missouri Files Final Brief in Halloween Sign Challenge
Source: ACSOL The State of Missouri filed its final brief today in the pending federal case that challenges the state’s Halloween sign law. The next step in the litigation process is oral argument before the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. No date has yet been set for oral argument, however, the parties must be provided at least 30 days prior notice. “In its brief, the State of Missouri continues to repeat its claim that the law that requires all registrants to post a sign at their residence on Halloween is…
Read MoreGA: Georgia Suggests Making Sex Offender Registry Removal More Confusing
Source: filtermag.org 3/27/25 Georgia is weighing legislation that would make it more difficult for people on the state’s sex offender registry (SOR) to get off it, as well as to relocate—whether attempting to move in from out of state or move from one part of the state to another. Personally I’m more interested in getting out of Georgia, but that’s beyond the scope of HB 430. The bill pertains to registrants trying to move to a new county, potentially as they’re getting off the SOR. As of March 26, it appears to be in the…
Read MoreMI: A huge win in Michigan: U.S. District Court found that the registry is punishment!
Source: Florida Action Committee 3/27/25 This is big news: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan ruled the state can’t enforce the entirety of its 2021 version of the law against offenders who committed their crimes before July 1, 2011. And the Court found that the registry is punishment! Read the decision and more on FAC’s website
Read MoreMD: Lawmakers consider proposal to reduce potential of billions in sex abuse payouts
Source: marylandmatters.org 3/25/25 Supporters and opponents brace for courtroom fight if bill passes Facing the potential of multibillion-dollar payouts, lawmakers will consider legislation this week that would limit the state’s liability under the 2023 Child Victims Act. But advocates, legal experts and, not unexpectedly, attorneys for one group of nearly 5,000 plaintiffs who claim to have been sexually abused at the hands of state workers, say the proposed fix goes too far, and is likely unconstitutional. Even Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles), the author of both the original bill and…
Read MoreIL: Bill proposes halving distance between sex offenders and schools to 250 feet
Source: mystateline.com 3/17/25 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new bill proposed in Illinois would reduce the distance convicted sex offenders are required to observe when living near schools. Senate Bill 2254, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Chicago), would reduce the distance sex offenders are required to stay from schools and playgrounds from 500 feet to 250 feet. Read the full article [Action alert for Illinois registrants and supporters: Call, write, and show up as soon as possible to support this bill to increase housing choices for registrants]
Read MoreWI: Possession of AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery may be protected by First Amendment in some cases, judge rules
Source: nbcnews.com 3/18/25 In February, a district judge tossed out a charge against a Wisconsin man of possession of the obscene material but allowed other charges to move forward Federal prosecutors are appealing a federal judge’s ruling in Wisconsin that possessing child sexual abuse material created by artificial intelligence is in some situations protected by the Constitution. The order and the subsequent appeal could have major implications for the future legal treatment of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, which has been a top concern among child safety advocates…
Read MoreAR: Arkansas tightens sex offender registry with new legal definitions
Source: 5newsonline.com 3/21/25 Acts 361 and 362 clarify and add requirements to existing legislation to provide stronger protection for minors in sex offender cases. ARKANSAS, USA — According to the Child Welfare League of America, human trafficking is the second-largest criminal industry in the world. This week, lawmakers in Arkansas made progress to tackle the issue through legislation. On Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law two bills that prosecutors said would help put away sex offenders. Senator Missy Irvin of District 24 says, “There was a case whereupon…
Read MoreIN: Government & Politics ‘Obscene performance’ ban added to child abuse bill, official misconduct expungements weighed
Source: indianacapitalchronicle.com 3/20/25 Rep. Chris Jeter declined to say whether his amendment was aimed at drag queen story times. Indiana lawmakers on Wednesday chose not to strip key provisions from legislation tightening handling of child sex abuse materials — yet — but did add a ban on any government-funded “obscene performance.” The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code also moved a proposal allowing unelected officials convicted of official misconduct a path toward expungement. Senate Bill 326’s original purpose was replacing use of the phrase “child pornography” throughout Indiana Code with…
Read MoreFL: Scammers target sex offenders in Steuben County with fake warrant claims
Source: newportdispatch.com 3/18/25 BATH — The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about scammers impersonating law enforcement officials to extort money from registered sex offenders. Sheriff Jim Allard reports that scammers are contacting registered sex offenders claiming to be members of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office. The fraudulent callers tell victims that arrest warrants have been issued due to missed DNA submissions. The scammers then demand payment through “non-traditional means” to have the supposed warrants vacated. Officials emphasize that the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office never solicits money from…
Read MoreID: Idaho House unanimously passes child sex abuse death penalty bill
Source: idahocapitalsun.com 3/17/25 As lawmakers anticipate court challenge, Idaho Republican House legislative leader says U.S. Supreme Court was wrong The Idaho House on Monday unanimously passed a bill to allow the death penalty for adults who sexually abuse children age 12 and younger in Idaho. Similar to his bill that stalled last year, House Bill 380, cosponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa, would allow the death penalty in a new criminal charge the bill creates: aggravated lewd conduct with children age 12 and younger. Skaug’s bill also would add mandatory minimum prison…
Read MoreNV: Nevada bills aim to expand sex offender registration and protect trafficking victims
Source: msn.com 3/15/25 Two new bills introduced in the Nevada Legislature aim to address issues related to sex offenses and prostitution, with a focus on expanding offender registration and protecting victims of sex trafficking. Assembly Bill 151, sponsored by northern Nevada assemblyman Ken Gray, seeks to broaden the scope of sex offender registration and community notification requirements. Under current law, individuals convicted of crimes against children, defined as offenses against victims under 18, are classified as Tier II offenders. The proposed legislation would classify customers convicted of soliciting a child…
Read MoreIL: Illinois Senate democrats push bill to ease residency rules for sex offenders
Source: prairiestatewire.com 3/14/25 Illinois Democratic state senators have proposed legislation that would reduce residency restrictions for registered child sex offenders, lowering the required distance they must maintain from schools and childcare facilities. Introduced by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford and co-sponsored by Sens. Adriane Johnson and Mary Edly-Allen, Senate Bill 2254 seeks to amend the Criminal Code of 2012 and the state’s sex offender registration laws. Under the proposed changes, the restricted zone around schools and childcare institutions would shrink from 500 feet to 250 feet. Additionally, the bill removes day care homes…
Read MoreTN: Tennessee lawmakers push for ‘Savanna’s Law’ to create domestic violence offender registry
Source: fox17.com 3/13/25 NASHVILLE, Tenn. WZTV) — Some Tennessee lawmakers say they are taking decisive action to combat repeat domestic violence offenders with the introduction of a new bill known as “Savanna’s Law.” The legislation proposes the creation of a publicly accessible registry for individuals convicted multiple times of domestic violence offenses, similar to existing sex offender registries. The bill, which has gained momentum among legislators, seeks to increase transparency and protect potential victims by making crucial information readily available to the public. Under the proposed legislation, the Tennessee Bureau of…
Read MoreTX: Stop Bill HB 3499 or Texas registrants will no longer receive property tax exemption
Source: capitol.texas.gov 2/27/25 Bill HB 3499 text: Relating to the eligibility of an individual to receive an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the individual’s residence homestead if the homestead is occupied by a registered sex offender. … “Sec. 11.136. RESIDENCE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION PROHIBITED FOR RESIDENCE OCCUPIED BY REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER. Notwithstanding Section 11.13, 11.131, 11.132, 11.133, or 11.134, an individual may not receive an exemption from taxation of all or a portion of the appraised value of the individual’s residence homestead under this subchapter in a tax year for…
Read MoreAZ: Arizona’s sex offender registry harms communities and families
Source: azcapitoltimes.com 3/13/25 In an era where evidence-based policy is increasingly valued, Arizona continues to maintain a sexual offense registry system that fails to deliver on its promises while creating serious collateral damage. Our current approach, originally designed to protect communities, has evolved into a system that paradoxically undermines public safety while devastating lives. As Arizona lawmakers consider criminal justice reforms, it’s time to fundamentally reassess this flawed system. Arizona’s registry fails victims Contrary to popular belief, the registry system often works against the interests of survivors. Sexual harm is…
Read MoreAL, KY, MS, OH, VA considering administrating Capital Punishment rape/sexual assault/sexual battery
Source: deathpenaltyinfo.org The States of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Virginia are considering administrating Capital Punishment towards those convicted of rape/sexual assault/sexual battery to those who have a living victim. Read the bills [AL, KY, MS, OH, VA registrants and supporters, fight this with writing, calls, and showing up]
Read MoreTX: Texas embalmer charged with mutilating corpse of registered sex offender
Source: nbcnews.com 3/11/25 A Texas woman has been charged with abusing a corpse after she allegedly used a scalpel to castrate the body of a registered sex offender last month, officials said. Amber Paige Laudermilk, 34, was employed as an embalmer at Memorial Mortuary & Crematory in Houston when she allegedly mutilated the body of Charles Roy Rodriguez, 58, in February, according to a statement on Monday from Constable Alan Rosen of Harris County Precinct One. Rodriguez was a registered sex offender and was charged with sexual assault in 2001. He died…
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