Florida law, in section 775.21 (The Florida Sexual Predators Act) states in part, “[r]epeat sexual offenders, sexual offenders who use physical violence, and sexual offenders who prey on children are sexual predators who present an extreme threat to the public safety. Sexual offenders are extremely likely to use physical violence and to repeat their offenses, and most sexual offenders commit many offenses, have many more victims than are ever reported, and are prosecuted for only a fraction of their crimes.”
Florida law, in section 943.0435, states in part, “[t]he Legislature finds that sexual offenders, especially those who have committed offenses against minors, often pose a high risk of engaging in sexual offenses even after being released from incarceration or commitment and that protection of the public from sexual offenders is a paramount government interest.
In July 2002, new provisions of these laws became effective which require sexual predators and sexual offenders to notify the state or the sheriff, as appropriate, of enrollment, employment, or the carrying on of a vocation at an institution of higher education in Florida. Each change in enrollment or employment status must be similarly reported. The state or sheriff must promptly notify each institution of the sexual predator’s or sexual offender's presence and any change in the sexual predator’s or sexual offender's enrollment or employment status.