Opinion ID: 1819622
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Title

Text: The title is more than an index to what the section is about or has reference to; it is a direct statement by the legislature of its intent. State v. Webb, 398 So.2d 820, 825 (Fla.1981) (citing Berger v. Jackson, 156 Fla. 251, 23 So.2d 265 (1945)); see also Parker v. State, 406 So.2d 1089, 1092 (Fla. 1981); Foley v. State, ex rel. Gordon, 50 So.2d 179, 184 (Fla.1951). In this case, the title to chapter 97-328 answers the question the majority says is dispositive, namely which part of [section 948.03(5)(a)(7)] is modified by the phrase `relevant to the offender's deviant behavior pattern.' Majority op. at 806. The title to chapter 97-308 states in its relevant part that the Legislature amended section 948.03(5)(g) (postamendment section 948.03(5)(a)(7)) to [revise] a provision that prohibits a sex offender from viewing, owning, or possessing certain materials; [prohibit] a sex offender from possessing telephone, electronic media, or computer programs or services that are relevant to the offender's behavior pattern. Ch. 97-328, Laws of Fla. [32] This title clearly shows that the Legislature intended the clause that are relevant to the offender's deviant behavior pattern in the postamendment statute to modify only telephone, electronic media, computer programs, or computer services. Thus, as a result of the amendment, sex offenders are prohibited from utilizing telephone, electronic media, or computer programs or services that are relevant to the offender's behavior pattern in addition to the materials that had already been prohibited. This clear intent is consistent with the state of the law and the amendment's history.