📅 This Week at a Glance (Oct 4–10, 2025)
Michigan’s SORA stay denied, Florida’s HB 1351 takes effect, Georgia’s sweep nets arrests, Maryland audit exposes oversight issues.
✅ Now in force
- Florida HB 1351 (effective Oct 1) — quarterly address verification for predators, annual for offenders, plus expanded reporting duties. Bill summary / status
🕒 Moving / Introduced
- Michigan’s post-Does registry reform bill — passed Senate, awaiting House concurrence and Governor signature. Clearinghouse summary
- California SB 384 reports in blogs—verify if this refers to new amendments. OAG FAQ (existing law)
⚖️ Courts / Agencies
- E.D. Mich denies Michigan’s motion to stay parts of Does III. Opinion (Dkt 192)
- U.S. Marshals Service 2025 Fact Sheet outlines national registration enforcement coordination. USMS Fact Sheet
- Maryland audit finds children placed in homes with registered offenders. Maryland Matters coverage
Gaps: Michigan appellate calendar uncertain; California reports unverified in official record.
What’s ahead: Track Michigan appeal, California SB 384 actions, Florida implementation, upcoming Halloween sweeps.
⭐ Highlights
Five key developments — each with source link and action tools.
🧑⚖️ Court — Michigan SORA Stay Denied
On July 11 2025, E.D. Mich denied the state’s stay motion in Does v. Whitmer (Does III), keeping the constitutional ruling in force.Read Order Dkt 192 |ACLU Michigan briefing
🏛️ Legislation — Florida HB 1351 Now Effective
Effective Oct 1 2025, HB 1351 requires quarterly predator verifications and 48-hour reporting of employment, vehicle, or travel changes.Florida Senate page |Governor press release
🚔 Enforcement — Georgia Operation Watchful Eye X
Georgia’s 2025 statewide registry verification sweep checked 9,600+ residences and produced 48 arrests & 235 warrants.News coverage (Now Habersham)
⚖️ Sentencing — Idaho Man Gets 30 Years + Registration
Heath Adams of Payette was sentenced to 30 years for producing child sexual abuse material and must register for life.DOJ press release
📊 Audit — Maryland Child Placement Oversight Gaps
A Sept 2025 audit found children placed in homes with registered sex offenders and a group home employing one.Audit report (Maryland Matters)
States
Florida — HB 1351 Implementation & Oversight
With HB 1351 now in effect as of Oct 1, Florida’s FDLE must coordinate quarterly verifications for sexual predators and annual verifications for offenders, plus manage new 48-hour reporting requirements for employment, vehicle, and in-state travel addresses.Bill status | Governor press release
Michigan — Post-Does Legislative Strategy
Following the July 2025 denial of a stay in Does v. Whitmer, the Michigan Senate advanced a registry-reform bill intended to align SORA 2021 with constitutional limits (retroactivity, out-of-state disparity).Clearinghouse case summary | District court opinion
California — SB 384 Tiering & Removal Claims
Media posts have suggested renewed changes to registry removal under SB 384; in fact, the 2021 law already established three-tier (10/20/lifetime) durations and petition processes. Verify any proposed amendments via official record.OAG FAQ | Legislative text
Court Decisions & Litigation
Does v. Whitmer / Michigan SORA Challenge
On July 11, 2025, the Eastern District of Michigan denied the state’s stay motion, leaving unconstitutional SORA provisions unenforceable pending appeal.Full order | ACLU Michigan explainer | Clearinghouse record
Payette Man Sentenced — Federal Sex Offense & Registry Requirement
Heath Adams of Payette, Idaho was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing child sexual abuse material, plus lifetime supervised release and mandatory sex offender registration.DOJ press release
Media & Editorials
Maryland Matters — Child Placement Audit Coverage
The audit revealed placement and screening failures involving registered offenders within guardian or foster homes. SOLAR could offer policy commentary on registry data checks and child safety protocols.Read coverage
Georgia Sweep Media Reports (WALB / Now Habersham)
Georgia’s Operation Watchful Eye X garnered broad coverage as sheriffs completed verification sweeps ahead of Halloween. SOLAR may prepare infographics comparing enforcement outcomes statewide.News story | WALB coverage
Watchlist (carry-forward + new)
- Michigan Does appeal timeline in Sixth Circuit — monitor briefs and potential decision impact on retroactivity doctrine.
- Michigan registry reform bill — watch House vote and implementation rules once enacted.
- California SB 384 — confirm whether “new tier changes” reported online represent actual amendments or re-summarized 2021 law.
- Florida HB 1351 — early implementation data (verification counts, funding needs, agency feedback).
- Registry enforcement operations nationwide — anticipate Halloween and holiday sweeps reports.
- DOJ SMART Office — potential fall guidance or grants for registry modernization and SORNA compliance updates.
🔎 SEO focus (internal)
- sex offender registry reform
- SORNA compliance & gaps
- registry litigation & retroactivity
- registration enforcement sweeps
- registry removal / relief / tiering