Nominate Dumbest RSO Law 2011

Another year, another barrage of stupid legislation. This is the thread to nominate the Dumbest RSO Laws award for 2011. You have until November 30, 2011 to nominate. Post your nominee in the comments section and I will list all current nominees here.

_____________________________________________________________

Texas Law allows Department of Family and Protective Services allows caseworkers to add your name to the sex offender registry without a trial: 

This law is so messed up, State Rep. John Zerwas, R-Katy, had to propose a bill, HB 1194, which would allow suspected abusers greater due process to challenge their inclusion in the registry. Before a name goes into the database, Zerwas wants the accused to be properly notified, have a copy of the record and access to swift appeal to a state administrative hearing judge.

Even the exonerated were added to the list.
_____________________________________________________________

Missouri's Hallowed Grounds Act will ban sex offenders from burial in national cemetaries:


The "Hallowed Grounds Act," introduced by Republican Rep. Vicky Hartzler, would prohibit an individual who is classified as a Tier III sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration Act from being buried at a veterans or national cemetery. A Tier III sex offender is one whose offenses against a child might include the crimes of aggravated sexual abuse or abusive sexual contact."While veterans guilty of capital crimes have justly been denied burial in our national cemeteries, veterans guilty of sexual abuse of children are still entitled to these honors," Hartzler said. "Allowing these offenders to rest in fields of honor is an insult to America's military heroes. Furthermore, it is an outrage to the victims and their families."
______________________________________________________________

 AL HB 378, Alabama's SORNA Act:

• Registered sex offenders who are homeless are required to check in once a week.
• Those who do day labor must provide local law enforcement with details about where and when they will be working each day.
• Sex offenders will have to pay a $10 fee every time they register. That same fee will also be charged for every move.
• A travel permit is required through local law enforcement if a sex offender plans to be away from their residence for more than three days or if they plan to travel outside the area.
• Those sex offenders who have been classified as sexual predators or convicted of sexually violent crimes will be required to wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) for 10 years, at their own expense.
• Some youthful offenders and juveniles, those charged with more serious sex crimes, will have to register for a lifetime instead of 10 years.

_____________________________________________________________
 
Missouri's Amy Hestir Student Protection Act: "Under a new Missouri law, teachers who "friend" a current or former student on Facebook could soon run afoul of state codes...The new law states that teachers "cannot establish, maintain or use a work-related website unless it is available to school administrators and the child's legal custodian, physical custodian, or legal guardian." The legislation also bans teachers from using "a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student."  I understand why you'd want to discourage parent-teacher sexual relationships but this law takes it too far by implying that any time treachers and students talk its for sex.
______________________________________________________________

 Florida's HB 251, the "Walk in Their Shoes Act" (a.k.a. the Lauren Book Act): The Shiitake Awards just wouldn't be the same without some representation from Florida, would it? This is the Lauren Book law. What makes this bill dangerous is that this bill allows prior convictions or accusations to be admitted as evidence in trial, which all but guarantees a former offender will not get a fair trial. It also denies access to evidence in child porn accusations, which will bar defense attorneys from presenting adequate defense.