Bill would help track homeless, transient sex offenders

There is a new effort to track homeless and transient sex offenders who have been slipping under the state’s radar.

The new proposal is meant to stop sex offenders from committing any new crimes. A major purpose of the bill is to allow law enforcement to know where sex offenders and predators are at any given time.

It requires sex offenders to update the sheriff's office about any change in where they are staying, even if they're homeless.

Keeping track of homeless predators and sex offenders is something parents like Christina Ciuchta say needs to be a top priority for law enforcement.

"You don't know who's out there and the parents don't know," Ciuchta said.

An Action News Jax Investigation in May revealed dozens of homeless sex offenders and predators live in Duval County.

A new bill now moving through the state legislature aims at making it easier for law enforcement to keep track of them. The proposal requires homeless predators and sex offenders to notify law enforcement of any changes in where they are staying, even if it’s not a permanent or temporary address. The bill also allows offenders to register online.

“The key is to keep a very short leash. Make sure we have clarity on the rules for everybody and that we don't have another incident. The last thing we want is for anyone that's had an issue to repeat a crime," Rep. Dennis Baxley, the bill's sponsor.

"It's very difficult for law enforcement to keep up with homeless predators and sex offenders," said Action News Jax Crime and Safety Expert Ken Jefferson.

Jefferson is a former sex crimes detective. He said this bill will also clarify the expectations for offenders.

"They always cry ignorance of the law as an excuse. 'Well I didn't know I need to do this or that or the other.' This law, this bill, actually helps clarify everything that they need to do so there's no question to be asked," Jefferson said.

Ciuchta said she hopes the proposal gives law enforcement the tools they need to keep kids like her four-year-old daughter safe.

"She is my whole world. I can't imagine what would happen if something happened to her. I couldn't imagine it," Ciuchta said.

Rep. Baxley said he worked with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Sheriff's Association and other agencies on putting this proposal together. It still has to pass another House committee before making it to the full House floor.

Cox Media Group