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NEWS

Senate supports 3 bills targeting sex offenses

  • Advocate Capitol News Bureau
  • Published: Apr 9, 2008 - Page: 5A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

Three bills aimed at penalizing sex offenders who prey on the young sailed through the Senate on Tuesday.

The bills sponsored by state Sen. Jody Amedee, D-Gonzales, are part of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s legislative package for the regular session.

The bills increase criminal penalties for those convicted of various sex-related crimes.

They attracted no opposition.

Senators approved:

  • Senate Bill 510 that would increase prison time for computer-aided solicitation of a minor.
If the victim is under age 13, the offender would face 10 to 20 years in prison.

If the victim is between age 13 and 16, the offender would face five to 10 years in prison. Today, the potential jail time is two to 10 years in prison.

The Senate left in place the two- to 10-year sentence in cases when the victim is a person reasonably believed to have not yet attained the age of 17.

  • SB512, which Amedee said fixes “a loophole in the law” dealing with electronic solicitation of a minor for sexual misconduct.
“The act of setting up the event would be a crime,” he said.
  • SB514 would increase the penalty for molestation of a juvenile.
If a victim is between 13 and 16 years of age, the minimum prison time would increase from one to five years. If the victim is age 12 or younger, the minimum punishment would increase from 10 to 20 years.

The bills go to the House for further action.


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