The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws (ACSOL) is dedicated to protecting the Constitution by restoring the civil rights of registrants and their families. In order to achieve that objective, ACSOL will educate and litigate as well as support or oppose legislation. The ACSOL website and recordings are provided as a service to registrants, registrants’ families, and others for general information only. The information on the website and in the recordings are not designed to provide legal or other advice or to create an attorney-client relationship. You should not take, or refrain from taking, action based on their content. Prior results and case studies do not guarantee a similar outcome in future representations. ACSOL accepts no responsibility for any loss or damages that may result from accessing or reliance on content on the ACSOL website and recordings and disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all liability with respect to acts or omissions made by registrants, registrants’ families and others on the basis of content on the ACSOL website.
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Janice's Journal
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AZ: Prescott starts new program to monitor sex offenders
Getting aggressive with sex offenders - Sex offenders living in the City of Prescott are now under an additional layer of supervision. Full Article
U.S. Senate declares April ‘Second Chances Month’ in support of former inmates
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday declaring April as "Second Chances Month" for people who were once incarcerated and are trying to break back into mainstream society. Full Article
Newly Filed Lawsuit Challenges CDCR Regs for Prop 57
A lawsuit was filed on April 27 challenging regulations recently issued by the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) which prohibit the beneficial effects of Proposition 57 from applying to anyone convicted of a sex offense. Those benefits include shorter prison terms that result from earning credit for good behavior as well as participation in rehabilitative, educational and career training programs. "Most registrable sex offenses are...
MA: Governor Proposes Bill Protecting Teen Sexters From Felony Charges
The Massachusetts state legislature will consider a bill that protects teen sexters from excessive prosecution while imposing harsher punishments on people who share nude photos with others without the subject’s consent. Filed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday, the bill would prevent prosecutors from charging teen sexters as child pornographers, recommending that they be sent to an educational program instead of prison or juvenile...
NY: Loophole could allow sex offenders to work for Uber, Lyft
Some are concerned about what is being called a dangerous loophole in the agreement that allows ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft to operate in New York state. Laura Ahearn, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law, says she found the loophole while studying the bill's fine print. "It's allowing Level 1 offenders that have been, as we've seen, convicted of very violent offenses against...
Feds tell Supreme Court that mug shots should stay secret
The Justice Department won't budge from its position that federal mug shots of criminals should be kept secret, arguing in a U.S. Supreme Court brief that jailhouse photos are "embarrassing, nonpublic" moments that add to defendants' grief. Full Article
Child Safety at Sea – Freed and Stuart Talk Cruise Policies to Protect Kids
Protecting kids at sea has been a hot topic of late, as some major cruise lines have adjusted their pool policies to add lifeguards. Most revealing on the subject of child protection, though? Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service, Royal Caribbean International, told hundreds of agents attending the final General Session of Cruise360 on Saturday that Royal Caribbean initiates...
Senate Committee Passes Tiered Registry Bill (SB 421)
The Senate Public Safety Committee passed the Tiered Registry Bill (Senate Bill 421) in a hearing during which three members of the Committee agreed to co-author the bill. The bill is now co-authored by Committee Chair Sen. Nancy Skinner as well as Committee Members Holly Mitchell and Joel Anderson. During the hearing, a total of 47 people spoke in favor the Tiered Registry Bill...
Senate Committee Approves SB 26 With Amendments
The Senate Public Safety Committee today approved Senate Bill 26 with the promise that it would be further amended. The approval came despite the testimony of more than 40 people, including registrants and family members, who spoke in opposition to the bill. As currently written, Senate Bill 26 would require all registrants who are parents to be supervised by a school official while visiting...
PA: Bill cutting off public assistance for non-compliant Megan’s Law registrants passes the Pa. House
Legislation that would make convicted sex offenders who are out of compliance with Megan's Law ineligible for public assistance passed the state House of Representatives on Monday by a 190-2 vote. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Cox, R-Berks County, now goes to the Senate for consideration. It would allow sex offenders' benefits to be reinstated immediately once they came back into compliance but would not be...
Support for Tiered Registry Bill Growing
Support for the Tiered Registry Bill (SB 421) is growing both in the form of letters of support as well as a new co-author, Republican Senator Jeff Stone of San Diego. "The growing support for the Tiered Registry Bill is evidence that it is time to stop the state's lifetime registry for all," stated ACSOL Executive Director Janice Bellucci. "It is time for California...
New bill could change way sex offenders are registered
Some sex offenders could soon lose their lifelong registration in the state of California. That's if a new bill headed to the California Senate is signed into law. Full Article
Lawmakers pushing legislation to strengthen punishment for child sexual abusers
There is a federal fight to stop child sexual abuse. Some lawmakers say convicts have it easy under the current law, so they are moving legislation through the House to strengthen punishment. They also hope it will also act as a deterrent. Full Article
VA: Michael McAlister, exonerated of a 1986 sexual assault in South Richmond, dies in Florida
Michael Kenneth McAlister has died in Florida, less than two years after his exoneration and release from prison for a 1986 sexual assault he did not commit. Full Article
Teens Who Engage in ‘Sexting’ Should Not Be Prosecuted as Sex Offenders
In an early episode of the television series “Girls,” Adam sends Hannah a photo of his penis and then a text message: “SRY that wasn’t for you.” Hannah and her friends debate the intention of Adam’s actions, but one thing is clear: The explicit photo he sent isn’t unusual, and it certainly isn’t criminal. Had he lived in the state of Washington, been under...
FL: No Voting for Sex Offenders or Murderers Says Florida
Florida’s state Supreme Court on Thursday approved language for a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would restore voting rights to felons after they complete their sentences. If the measure makes it on the ballot and receives a 60% favorable vote, the voting rights of Felons in Florida could be restored upon completion of their sentence. Unfortunately, the rights would not be returned...
OR: Hidden Sex Offenders: Oregon falling far behind on registry overhaul
Oregon has the most sex offenders per capita in the country, but only lists about 2 percent of them on the state's public website. The state is working to overhaul the system, but critics say that plan falls short and KATU has learned it's in danger of missing another crucial deadline. Full Article
AL: SB301 is going to change the definition of “residence,” and the results will be catastrophic
I have a huge problem with SB 301. The definition of "reside" is being changed by this bill, and not for the better. Most residence definitions deal with where a person sleeps, but this law impacts even where a person spends his time during the day. Full Article
Sex offender residency laws – There are no easy answers -Editorial
If you read the following editorial as being sympathetic toward sex offenders, you are missing the point. We are not being sympathetic. We simply want to state that it’s not always possible to legislate our way to safety. Full Article
Janice’s Journal: Tiered Registry Bill is Reborn
The Tiered Registry Bill is reborn. We now have a second chance to end a 70-year-old law that requires individuals to register for a lifetime, regardless of the nature of their offense, the amount of time that has passed and whether they have re-offended. We almost lost this opportunity when Senator Ricardo Lara, the original author of the Tiered Registry Bill, withdrew his leadership....