A bipartisan package of sex predator bills is now heading for a floor vote in both the House and Senate.
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill Thursday banning sex offenders from owning pornography. They also approved a measure that cracks down on repeat offenders who expose themselves in a vulgar way in public. Stuart Republican Representative Gayle Harrell is a sponsor of that bill.
“Really, I’m very pleased. I think it really says the state of Florida is taking a very strong stand against sexual predators, and I think it’s very important to say the Florida Legislature is not going to tolerate this in the state of Florida,” said Harrell.
Meanwhile, a series of measures that are all part of Senate President Don Gaetz’ legislative package aimed at cracking down on sex offenders and sex predators also received final committee approvals Thursday. One expands the criteria for whether to keep a sex predator in state custody, and another defines the training and increases the number of people on the panels that make those determinations. There’s also a measure increasing the prison term for certain adult-on-minor sex offenses, as well as a bill that toughens registration requirements for offenders.
For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.
