TIS IS CALIFORNIA plotical scince class

Writing Assignment Your name:

Track a state proposition or bill

Using http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/ or http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures.htm, follow a bill or proposition through the legislative process. The one-page paper should be typed in 12 point font, proper grammar, and include the following: 1) the name of the legislator/individual who introduced the bill/proposition; 2) date of introduction; 3) purpose of the bill/proposition; 4) committees in which the bill was heard; 5) the current status or outcome of the bill with number of votes; and 6) additional interesting information about the bill or proposition.

The individual that introduced Senate Bill 1204 was George Runner, a Republican nominee for the Board of Equalization. He introduced many bills but most importantly SB 1204. This bill was introduced February 18, 2010.

The purpose of Senate Bill 1204 is to prohibit sex offenders from setting up sites on social networking sites such as Myspace and Facebook. It is supposed to require all sex offenders to register all internet sites that they are registered to and prohibit them from social networking. It is in essence an act to amend the penile code in sections 290.013 and 290. 015 to add in language that will put more restrictions on convicted pedophiles in the state of California. The bill has gone through the Senate and been introduced in the Assembly. The bill is up for a second reading soon, and has had a few amendments written while in the two houses so far. There was no information on the number of votes currently, it is being held under committee meeting and is under submission as of August 13, 2010.

I chose this bill because I have a good friend that was convicted of a felony of a sexual offense and I disagree with the limitations of all sex offenders because he is a great guy and it was just a misunderstanding but he was still found guilty. It is a difficult thing and I think that social networks like Myspace and Facebook are ways for people to reach out to those that they care about that they could otherwise not connect, its freedom of speech and freedom of expression that is protected by the constitution so I don’t understand how they can make a public domain such as the internet prohibited by the public just because of their past convictions. It seems like a contradiction to the constitution and discrimination against them because of their mistakes. They should create amendments from the original text that allows those that do not show regression and that meet all requirements on their probation and such to view the internet. It is a public arena, just happens to be electronic. Next they will be banning sex offenders from the grocery store because children go to the grocery store. It is preposterous and if you don’t want your kids to meet a sex offender, keep them off the internet. Its simple parenting to teach your children how to be aware of predators so that they do not put themselves in situations or talk to people that might harm them.

The bill was presented on the news on TV in early 2010 when it was first brought to the senate and has had multiple amendments and changes since, I would be curious how long it will take going back and forth between the Senate and the Assembly before it becomes law or gets thrown out.

Source: legislature.ca.gov