Florida Leaders back bill to expand help to ex-felons restore their civil rights

Florida's top legislative leaders support a proposal requiring county jails to help felons get their civil rights restored once they have served their sentences. If the changes become law, the right to vote, hold public office and serve on juries could be extended to an estimated 50,000 felons denied their civil rights in recent years. The current law requires the state Department of Corrections to help felons leaving state prisons with the required paperwork, and their names are automatically forwarded to the state Clemency Board for consideration. However, that law ignores felons released from county jails, even though most are nonviolent offenders with the best shot at regaining their civil rights. Any proposal would be considered by the Legislature in the 2005 session beginning in March. "This bill seems to have real merit," said Senate President Tom Lee, R-Brandon. "All prisoners, irrespective of where they are incarcerated, should be treated fairly." [more]