IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE ALERT: The Florida Legislature is Attacking PIs
Thursday, April 30, 2015
FALI LEGISLATIVE NEWS ALERT
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED FROM ALL MEMBERS
THE STATE IS TAKING AWAY THE RIGHT OF PIs, (and SECURITY SERVICES & REPOSSESSION SERVICES) TO LEGALLY USE GPS
As many of you are aware, during this Legislative Session FALI has been closely monitoring two bills that directly impact our industry, one dealing with the use of GPS and one the use of drones.
We just received word that the GPS bill, which we did not have a problem with, was changed at the last minute to SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDE the Private Investigative profession from the use of GPS technology.
You read that right! If the Governor signs this bill into law, then effective October 1, 2015, Private Investigators would no longer be able to use GPS and in fact, the use of this technology would now be criminalized for us.
Please take a few minutes of your time to write the Governor IMMEDIATELY about the need for him to veto this bill and include us in the discussion next year.
Below is the letter that is being sent by FALI President Tim O'Rourke. We need hundreds, if not thousands, of these letters to flood the Governor's office.
At the least, please copy this letter on to your business letterhead and then email and US mail to the Governor. If you want to take it a step further, write your own letter with your personal concerns and how it will impact your business. Please also have your staff members, family members and even clients, send letters.
Part of why FALI exists is to protect the rights of our profession. This last minute amendment was a direct attack on us. Even if you do not use GPS in your business, many of your colleagues do. We all need to band together.
Please write and email and snail mail your letter NOW!
Thank you,
FALI Legislative Committee
* * * * * * * *
Please either draft your own letter based on the letter below, or copy this letter on your letterhead and mail to Governor Scott. In addition, you can send an email so it gets there today by clicking HERE We want to flood his mailbox and his email inbox.
April 29, 2015
The Honorable Rick Scott
Governor, State of Florida
The Capital
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Re: HB197
Dear Governor Scott:
Prior to adjourning, the Legislature passed CS/CS/HB-197, a bill which restricts the use of global positioning satellite (GPS) technology.
We have monitored this bill the entire session. Up until two weeks ago, our industry was supportive. Then, an amendment was
included that specifically prohibits private investigators from utilizing this technology. The private investigative industry is the only legitimate business entity that is specifically singled out, and not given an exception under this legislation. This is particularly confusing as 90% of licensed investigators are highly trained former law enforcement officers.
Further, the legislation specifically prohibits the use of GPS when a dissolution of marriage or petition for protection against domestic abuse has been filed. This is particularly alarming as these situations are specifically where such technology has proven to be invaluable in protecting women in divorce from potential financial ruin, and most importantly, from the ever increasing epidemic of domestic violence.
Prior to introducing this amendment, neither of the sponsors chose to consult members of the private investigative industry to learn what the unintended consequences of this legislation might be If they had competently researched the issues, they would have learned that this technology is used extensively to protect victims of domestic violence, stalking, workplace violence, child abuse and parental abduction.
The main argument used to advance this legislation was that the use of GPS by predators presented a danger to potential victims I can assure you that while criminals intent on harming someone will not be deterred by the threat of being arrested on a 2nd degree misdemeanor, this legislation removes a valuable tool that provides protection to potential victims of domestic violence.
I respectfully request that you veto this bill. A new bill can be drafted that will accomplish the goal of protecting citizens while allowing licensed private investigators the continued legitimate use of this technology to protect those most susceptible to physical violence.
Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this matter in greater detail.
Sincerely,
Timothy O’Rourke
President, Florida Association of Licensed Investigators
cc: Adam Putnam, Commissioner of Agriculture
Pam Bondi, Florida Attorney General
Grea Bevis, Director, Division of Licensing
|
Email to a Friend