Sex Offender Package Heads To Senate

The plan known as the child protection act covers a lot of ground ……It stiffens possible sentences for sexual predators and juvenile sex offenders……It also bolsters registration requirements for those convicted of offenses and addresses policies for the involuntary commitment of deemed mentally incompetent……..In addition, the measure gives police the power to announce when offenders move to their town……Derry Republican Pat Dowling urged lawmakers to respect the work of those who crafted the final proposal.

"Many of us lost sleep at night producing this piece of legislation…..We want this to go to the senate in tact, without amendments."

That wish was ultimately granted, but not before attempts to restore the sentencing provisions backed by both the Governor and the Attorney General failed……Those would have given prosecutors the discretion to seek a 25-year minimum sentence for a first offense, and life in prison for a second offense……Rochester Republican Cliff Newton told colleges imposing such sentences is the least society can do for victims.

"Sexual predators plot, scheme and the execute their scheme to take one of the most precious assets that a child has -- their innocence……And usually the victim suffers a lot longer than the 25 years that the person who abused them would have to go to prison."

The move to restore the mandatory minimums was rejected by a 264 to 76 vote……Afterwards, Governor Lynch applauded the house for passing the bill, with one caveat.

"I do think that mandatory minimums provision, which is as you know, at the discretion of the prosecutor is an important provision. And I'd like to see that in the final legislation."

The bill now heads to the senate judiciary committee, that committee's chairman was one of the measures original co-sponsors.