Source: School of Psychology at Fielding Graduate University A doctoral research study through the School of Psychology at Fielding Graduate University is seeking participants to explore the lived experiences of individuals on Florida’s Sexual Offender Registry. The purpose of this study is to better understand how being on the registry impacts daily life. Participation involves taking part in a confidential interview that will last approximately 60 minutes. Participation is completely voluntary, and participants can withdraw at any time. Participants will be compensated $50 for their participation. No identifying information will…
Read MoreCategory: Non-California State
TX: NARSOL Sues Texas for Excluding Federal Convictions from State Registry Removal
Source: floridaactioncommittee.org 2/26/26 NARSOL has filed suit on behalf of registrants in Texas who were convicted of a sexual offense in federal court, claiming the state’s process for petitioning for removal from the registry excludes them, because they were not convicted by a Texas court (a requirement for removal). The class action complaint alleges, “Article 62.404 provides a mechanism for early termination of registration. Under that provision, an eligible registrant may seek relief after completing the minimum required registration period and undergoing an individualized risk assessment conducted by CSOT. If…
Read MoreNJ: Out-of-state sex offenders can challenge registration requirement, court rules
Source: newjerseymonitor.com 2/23/26 Authorities must weigh whether a sex offender convicted in other states committed a crime similar to a Megan’s Law offense before forcing them to register under the law in New Jersey, an appellate court found Monday. The ruling, which ordered two cases in Secaucus and Union City reopened motions to dismiss and reversed a conviction in the Secaucus case, says authorities in both cases failed to perform an analysis required by law before charging the two men with failing to notify authorities that they had moved. “Indicting…
Read MoreSC: Rep. Nancy Mace introduces hateful new bill to block registrants from entering federally funded shelters
Source: counton2.com 2/20/26 CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Congresswoman Nancy Mace introduced a bill Friday that would prohibit individuals who are registered on the National Sex Offender Registry from entering or receiving services at federally funded domestic violence and homeless shelters. The introduced bill is called the ‘Safe Shelters for Survivors Act of 2026’ and would block federally funded shelters from housing those who are required to register on the National Sex Offender Registry, or lose their federal funding. South Carolina is sixth in the nation for domestic violence, and many…
Read MoreAL: Alabama Senate Bill 199 would put more restrictions on sex offenders, limit Internet access
Source: aldailynews.com 2/19/26 [Alabama residents start calling, writing, and showing up now] A bill moving through the Legislature could put new restrictions on sex offenders convicted of crimes against children, including preventing them from access to the Internet. Senate Bill 199 was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday with sponsor Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, agreeing that additional work on the bill may be needed. The bill says any adult convicted of a sex offense involving a child “may be restricted by his or her parole or…
Read MoreSC: SC proposal increases minimum prison time for people with child sex abuse images
Source: scdailygazette.com 2/13/26 The bill is advancing as the GOP primary race for governor keeps turning to the topic of prosecuting sex offenders COLUMBIA — People who create or share images of children being sexually abused could be sent to prison for longer under legislation advancing in the Senate. This week’s unanimous vote by a Senate Judiciary panel comes amid continued allegations by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace that her chief rivals in the governor’s race protect pedophiles — which they either deny as ridiculous or decline to respond to…
Read MoreSD: Sex offender restriction bill dies in a House panel
Source: keloland.com 2/11/26 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A bill Republican Rep. Aaron Aylward said was designed to protect children from sex offenders in South Dakota was too broad, several members of the House Judiciary Committee said Wednesday. Aylward’s bill House Bill 1167A was sent to its death on a 41st Day motion. His original bill was amended by removing the word “loitering,” which meant that any sex offender who entered a safety zone would be in violation. Those who voted against the bill said it went too far. “I can’t support this today,” committee member…
Read MoreWA: West Richland has a hysteria-based plan to isolate proposed registrant transitional homes
Source: msn.com 2/10/26 While Kennewick residents and local lawmakers continue to try and halt a proposed transitional home for sexually violent predators, one nearby city isn’t waiting until they face the same issue. West Richland’s planning commission plans a public hearing Thursday on changing city zoning to force any future “secure transition facilities” into light industrial zones. The move comes after all eight bills proposed by Tri-Cities lawmakers this legislative session failed to gain any traction in Olympia last week. … West Richland’s plan could greatly reduce the ability to…
Read MoreAL: 11th Circuit tackles sex offender residency ban amid child predator death penalty push
Source: courthousenews.com 2/10/26 Oral arguments revealed deep judicial skepticism on both sides as Alabama joins other states to pursue aggressive measures against child predators, from family bans to potential executions. (CN) — A rare en banc hearing before the full 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Tuesday may foreshadow the legal battles awaiting Alabama’s newest tough-on-crime measure. On Feb. 5, the state Legislature overwhelmingly passed House Bill 41, the “Child Predator Death Penalty Act,” making certain non-homicide sexual crimes against children under 12 punishable by death. HB41, now…
Read MoreWA: Bill proposes changes to sex offender registration laws in Washington
Source: nbcrightnow.com 2/9/26 OLYMPIA, Wash. — A new bill aimed at modifying sex offender registration laws is moving through the Washington Legislature. HB 2403 proposes that failure to register as a sex offender would be classified as a seriousness level I offense and an unranked class C felony. This change removes the elevation to a class B felony for a third or subsequent offense. Additionally, the definition of “sex offense” under the Sentencing Reform Act would no longer include a second or subsequent felony failure to register offense. Community custody requirements…
Read MoreMO: Good news! 8th Circuit Denies Attorney General Requests
Source: ACSOL The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals today issued a decision denying requests by the Attorney General of Missouri for either a rehearing or an en banc hearing. The requests were filed after a panel of three judges from the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision on January 2, 2026, ruling that the Missouri law requiring registrants to post a sign on their home is unconstitutional. The only remaining option for the Attorney General of Missouri to appeal the 8th Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision issued last…
Read MoreAL: Alabama Legislature sends bill extending death penalty to child sexual assault to Gov. Kay Ivey
Source: alabamareflector.com 2/5/26 The Alabama Senate gave final approval to a bill Thursday that would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12, setting up a possible court battle over its constitutionality. HB 41, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, passed the Senate 33-1 with no changes. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. Sen. April Weaver, R-Hoover, who sponsored the Senate version of the legislation, cited the discovery of a child sex trafficking ring last summer in Bibb County,…
Read MoreAZ: HB 2870 makes it harder for registrants to find housing by prohibiting multiple registrants at same location
Source: trackbill.com [Arizona residents: take action to call, write, show up] … Makes it unlawful for a person who is on supervised release and who is classified as a level two or level three offender to reside with any other person who is also a registered sex offender, unless the persons are related by blood, marriage or adoption. … Read the full bill
Read MoreAZ: HB 2413 (Nguyen) Mandating Electronic Monitoring for Homeless Sex Offenders Clears Judiciary Committee
Source: Representative Quang Nguyen STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Legislation sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Quang Nguyen to strengthen monitoring of registered sex offenders was approved today by the House Judiciary Committee. House Bill 2413 requires courts to place any registered sex offender who does not have a permanent address on global positioning system or electronic monitoring until a residence is established. The bill closes a serious gap in current law by ensuring offenders who cannot be reliably located are continuously monitored, strengthening accountability and protecting Arizona communities. Under existing…
Read MoreAZ: Arizona Bill Would Make It a Felony for Parents To Bring Their Kids to Drag Shows
Source: reason.com 2/4/26 Bringing your kid to a drag show could become a felony crime in Arizona. Today, the state’s House Judiciary Committee will vote on House Bill 2589, a measure introduced by Rep. Michael Way (R–Queen Creek). H.B. 2589 would create the new criminal offense of “unlawful exposure to drag show performances,” a Class 4 felony. Class 4 felonies—a category that includes robbery, forgery, some burglaries, and some types of aggravated assault—are punishable by one to three years in prison for someone with no previous felony offenses. (For those with…
Read MoreNE: Nebraska Teacher, 26, Facing 20 Years In Prison For Dating High School Graduate, 19
Source: yahoo.com 2/2/26 Nebraska schoolteacher Cody_____, 26, and an 18-year-old female allegedly entered an intimate relationship two months after she graduated from high school Pester is now charged with sexual abuse by a school official If found guilty at trial, Cody could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison on that charge In the Spring of 2025, a sixth-grade teacher in Nebraska met a student in his capacity as the high school wrestling coach. Cody, 26, and the young woman began exchanging texts on May 10, which is…
Read MoreNM: Bill eliminating statute of limitations on sex crimes moves through Roundhouse
Source: krqe.com 2/1/26 NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations on certain sex crimes, including those against children, is moving forward in the Roundhouse. On Sunday, the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee discussed Senate Bill 41, which would eliminate the time cap on when survivors of sexual assault could come forward to report and prosecute the offender. Supporters of the bill say this change reflects what data shows about why so many of these crimes go underreported, or reported years later. “Fear, shame, threats,…
Read MoreNM: Meta faces New Mexico trial over child-exploitation claims
Source: reuters.com 1/30/26 New Mexico AG alleges Meta enabled child exploitation on platforms Meta claims First Amendment, Section 230 shield it from liability Meta faces scrutiny over child safety, mental health impacts Jan 30 (Reuters) – Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab is set to face trial next week in a lawsuit brought by the state of New Mexico accusing it of exposing children and teens to sexual exploitation on its platforms and profiting from it, the first case of its kind against the social media giant to reach a jury. The…
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