TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A new Florida law is set to take effect next month, adding further restrictions on where sexual offenders may live in the state.
The law — SB 212 — was filed all the way back in October, and it requires sex offenders to stay away from public swimming pools.
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More specifically, the bill prohibits those convicted of certain sex offenses against children 16 years of age or younger from living within 1,000 feet of a public swimming pool.
These sex offenses include sexual battery; indecent exposure; child porn possession/creation; and selling or buying minors. That said, an exemption has been carved out for those who are already living near a public swimming pool.
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Such offenders are also forbidden from working for, volunteering at, or even visiting a public swimming pool, unless prior approval has been obtained from the supervising officer.
Current law already prohibits these sorts of sex offenders from living near schools, childcare facilities, parks and playgrounds, though this law cracks down even harder via the following rules:
- Contacting Children: Such offenders may be arrested without a warrant if they knowingly contact a minor at any park, playground or public swimming pool.
- School Grounds: Such offenders may be arrested without a warrant if they’re purposefully present in any pre-K-12 school while the school is still in operation, with few exceptions.
- Prowling Offenders: The bill increases the restricted distance for loitering and prowling by such sex offenders from 300 feet to 500 feet of places where children congregate.
As for what a “public swimming pool” means, the legislation defines it as follows:
“A structure that is located either indoors or outdoors and used for recreational bathing or swimming by humans.
The term includes a conventional pool, spa-type pool, wading pool, special purpose pool, spray pool, splash pad, or other water recreation attraction, to which admission may be gained with or without payment of a fee, regardless of whether entry to the swimming pool is limited by a gate or other method of controlling access.
The term includes swimming pools operated by or serving subdivisions, apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks, or townhouses, or any pool operated by a governmental entity which is held open to the public.
The term does not include a swimming pool at a private single-family residence, hotel, motel, or recreational vehicle park, or a swimming pool where the operator prohibits the use of such pool by persons younger than 18 years of age.”
Senate Bill 212
The law takes effect on July 1, alongside over 100 other new Florida laws.
You can find the full list here.