HOUSE COUNCIL APPROVES WEAKENED VERSION OF "RACHEL'S LAW"

The House Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council unanimously
accepted a version of Rachel's law today, but Rachel Hoffman's
parents said they would push for additional protective measures.

The amendment adopted by the Council emerged after legislators worked
extensively with law enforcement to find a compromise. Hoffman's
parents said the dramatically weakened version is missing essential
provisions.

"The bill still has a few more stops in the House and Senate, and we
hope the amendments will be offered then," said Lance Block, the
family's lawyer. "If any one of these provisions had been in place
before this tragedy, Rachel would still be alive today."

These provisions Rachel's family are pursuing include:

1. All persons who are recruited to serve as confidential informants
should have the right to be advised of counsel before agreeing to do
so.

2. Any person who is in a substance abuse treatment should never be
used in any undercover activities while they are in treatment.

3. Non-violent persons should not be involved in undercover operations
with violent offenders or when a weapon is involved.

Rachel Hoffman was shot to death death in May 2008 while working as a
criminal informant for the Tallahassee Police Department.