By Mike Mason . . . ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – When Congress passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, it required states to enact a sex offender registry for those convicted of certain sex crimes. In the 28 years since the law has passed, sex offender registries have become a tool for the public to identify offenders…
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Our contacts to national and state media
NARSOL’s Florida affiliate FAC condemns registry as incompatible with U.N. values of dignity and equality
By F.A.C. . . . Last week, the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that mandatory sex offender registration and lifetime sex offender registration were unconstitutional. Basically, removing a judge’s discretion to determine whether someone warrants this label and all the restrictions that come with it, or mandating that someone be on it for life, violates Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Although…
Read MoreN.C. press release: “Outrageous” to ban state’s registered citizens from state fair
Raleigh, North Carolina . . . It’s time for the North Carolina State Fair, but thousands of North Carolina’s citizens are prohibited from attending it. Free citizens! Some of these citizens are fathers and mothers with children who will likely miss out on the opportunity to visit livestock and poultry exhibitions with their parents—serving as a painful reminder that their dad…
Read MoreShow of support for Littlefield, TX civil commitment detainees was an awesome event!
On September 13, Mary Sue Molnar and Phil Taylor of Texas Voices attended the FACTS (Families Against Committing Texans StandUp!) public awareness event at the capitol in Austin, Texas, to support the families who have a loved in civil commitment at the Littlefield, Texas Civil Commitment Facility. The FACTS group members were able to educate lots of people including legislative…
Read MorePaul Shannon at NARSOL’s conference awards banquet “Is this really the way we want to live?”
By Paul Shannon . . . To begin, I’d ask all of you to just look at this group and realize how amazing it is that such a gathering even exists — I’d ask you to consider what a great bunch of people we have as we take on the most volatile and difficult of issues that face us — and all…
Read MoreUnderstanding the new ALI guidelines for managing sexual assault
By Sandy and Prof. Ira Ellman . . . After all the brouhaha, all of the protesting and dissemination of false and misleading information, it is over. May 17, 2022, the American Law Institute voted to accept the recommended changes to its Model Penal Code in regard to sexual crimes. The session was not without dissenters, for, according to Professor…
Read MoreNARSOL CT affiliate speaks up, goes on record, in legislative hearing
By Dave Altimari . . . A bill that would require long-term care facilities to check if prospective residents have a criminal history or are on the sex offender registry before they are admitted drew some heated opposition Wednesday from organizations representing providers and an advocate for abolishing the sex offender registry. The bill is sponsored by State Sen. Saud…
Read MoreWhy NARSOL supports the ALI revised Model Penal Code recommendations
By Sandy . . . The situation surrounding the revisions to the American Law Institute’s Model Penal Code has become a “hot button” issue. Even though only recommendations, in some states they are highly regarded and could be considered by lawmakers in future sessions. The suggested revisions dealing with sexual crime would be a big step down from the onerous requirements…
Read MoreACTION ALERT: Oppose IML revisions
UPDATE: This bill has passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and will be heard by the full House for a possible vote. Use this link to find out your representatives and call them to register your opposition to the bill. Florida Action Committee has done a good job of putting together information about this issue that affects many…
Read MoreSupport for the adoption of the ALI’s revisions to its Model Penal Code
Elizabeth Letourneau and Luke Malone: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/02/john-walsh-sex-offender-registry-change.html “In the United States, up to 70 percent of sexual offenses against children are perpetrated by other children, typically a slightly older relative or playmate who offends in the context of ignorance, impulsivity, and convenience, not predation. Many states subject these kids to the same criminal consequences as adults who have been convicted of…
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