Elman v. State
Elman v. State
Concurring Opinion
concurring.
In my judgment, Westerheide v. State, 831 So.2d 93 (Fla. 2002), does not address the argument appellant raised, which appears to be that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) preempts the involuntary civil commitment of a disabled person such as appellant, because the Act defines disability, among other things, as a “mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual.” 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A) (2002).' Appellant points out that he has been diagnosed with both paraphilia
It appears, however, that the term “disability” does not include persons diagnosed with sexual disorders. In the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 705(20)(F)(I) (2002), the term “individual with a disability” expressly excludes “transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders.” (Emphasis added.)
I therefore join the majority in affirming the commitment order, but for reasons different from those expressed by the majority.
. § 394.912(10)(a), Fla. Stat. (2002)
. The appellee has cited 42 U.S.C. § 12111, as containing the same language in the ADA; however, that exclusion no longer exists in the ADA.
Opinion of the Court
Appellant raises five issues challenging his civil commitment under part V of chapter 394, Florida Statutes (commonly referred to as the “Jimmy Ryce Act”). We find none of the issues raised have merit, but we briefly -comment on one: whether Florida’s Jimmy Ryce Act which provides for involuntary civil commitment of sexually violent predators violates the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to include the least restrictive alternatives to qualified persons with disabilities. Whilé we seriously question whether Congress intended the Americans with Disabilities' Act to provide protection to sexually violent predators, we find it is unnecessary to reach that issue because we find the following passage from Westerheide v. State, 831 So.2d 93 (Fla. 2002), to be dispositive:
[T]he statutory definition of a sexually violent predator renders less' restrictive alternatives inapplicable...: The statute requires a determination by clear and convincing evidence that the person is a sexually violent predator,- that is, the person “[sjuffers from a mental abnormality or personality disorder that makes the person likely to engage in acts of sexual violence if not confined in a secure facility for long-term control, care, and treatment.” § 394.912(10)(b), Fla. Stat. (2001) (emphasis added). Thus; if the person is amenable to less restrictive alternative treatment he or she does not meet the statutory definition of a sexually violent predator and is not subject to commitment under the Ryce Act.
Id. at 103 (emphasis in original).
The decision of the trial court is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- James K. ELMAN, Jr. v. STATE of Florida
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published