How local laws apply to a registered sex offender handing out candy to trick-or-treaters

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A sheriff’s office in Clay County, Florida has gone viral as it went to registered sex offenders’ doors and reminded them of a local ordinance that bans those on the registry from handing out candy on Halloween. 

In fact, they cannot have decorations up outside or porch lights on to deter children from knocking on their doors. 

In Warren County, there is no law, ordinance or rule otherwise that prohibits a sex offender from interacting with and handing candy to your child on Halloween night unless they are still under parole supervision.

Once off supervision, they are legally allowed to decorate their homes, dress up in a kid friendly manner and invite your child onto their property to get candy. 

House Bill 42 in 2025 and House Bill 594 this year would have created a new section of the KRS to prohibit sex offenders who have committed a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor from participating in any Halloween-related activity. 

Both bills stopped progressing when they got to Judiciary.

According to Rep. Kevin Jackson, there were over 1,200 bills filed this session, and bills can take several years to pass into law.

Jackson says he is not extremely familiar with the bill, as he was on a different committee, but is in support of the concept of the bill.

According to a statement in part by Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott, he has not had a request from a citizen requesting the city consider an ordinance on this matter.

Alcott says, “Protecting our children from sexual predators is of the utmost importance. I encourage families to participate in reputable, community and church led Trunk or Treat events that provide a safer, organized environment for children. Parents and guardians should always use their best judgement when deciding whether to allow their children to approach homes of people they do not know.  While I understand the intent behind a proposed city ordinance, an ordinance enforced through fines alone has limited reach compared with existing state and federal criminal laws designed to protect children from sexual abuse and hold offenders accountable. Our priority must remain protecting children and ensuring those who commit these crimes face meaningful consequences.”  

Warren County Judge-Executive Doug Gorman says the idea had never come across his desk but hopes people will look at the sex offender registry before heading out to protect their children while trick-or-treating. 

“I think everyone would want to know if there was someone on the sex offender list in their neighborhood. And maybe they would not go to that house, because I don’t think it’s the wisest decision to have a child getting candy from someone who is convicted and on that offender list. So, I would just caution parents before they go out, especially if they know the route they are going or the neighborhood they are going to, do some research on that and find out if that’s a safe place to be,” said Gorman.

The sex offender list, including addresses, pictures and charges for registered offenders, is accessible on the Kentucky State Police website. 

On the site, you can search the area you plan to trick-or-treat.

The house icons that appear on the screen represent one registered offender and their location. 

You can click on the house icon, and it will pull up more information about the offender. 

Lastly, you can click on the “offender details” button to see what the exact charges for that offender are and often can see the age of the person they are convicted of assaulting. 

There are dozens of offenders just within the city limits of Bowling Green.