Dear Editor,
Having read Mark Zappa and Mary Silva’s response to my earlier
letter it is apparent I did not explain my position clearly enough
to be understood. In fairness, I will clarify to eliminate any and
all misreading of my intent.
Dear Editor,
Having read Mark Zappa and Mary Silva’s response to my earlier letter it is apparent I did not explain my position clearly enough to be understood. In fairness, I will clarify to eliminate any and all misreading of my intent.
Federal sentencing guidelines regulate the length of a convicted sex offender’s sentence. Ms. Silva, if you want them to serve the remainder of their life in prison, lobby your two state senators and district representatives for stricter sentence guidelines. I am surprised you consider housing a special privilege.
Mr. Zappa, the U.S. Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law. You may not like it, but it is the law of the land. Unless you are ready to deny housing to everyone, you cannot deny it to anyone.
As for the housing issue: Currently the only way a landlord can tell if a rental applicant is a convicted sex offender through the Megan’s Law database. Assembly Bill AB488, which the governor approved as an amendment to the California Penal Code Section 290.46 in 2004 specifically designates how the information held within that database can be used. It also specifies how the data can not be used: From Section 1, Paragraph 2 sub (2) Except as authorized under paragraph (1) or any other provision of law, use of any information that is disclosed pursuant to this section for purposes relating to any of the following is prohibited:
(A) Health insurance; (B) Insurance; (C) Loans; (D) Credit; (E) Employment; (F) Education, scholarships, or fellowships; (G) Housing or accommodations; (H) Benefits, privileges, or services provided by any business establishment.
There are fines attached to violating Penal Code section 290.46 for both the convicted offender, as well as the citizen who violates the section as well.
Councilmen Charles Morales and Roland Velasco currently support an amendment that will push us back in time to a time when discrimination is legal.
Ben Anderson, Gilroy
