SUDER AMONG LEGISLATORS WORKING ON INTERNET SEX LEGISLATION
Thursday, February 9th, 2006 -- 10:54 AM
By Jackie Johsnon, WRNState lawmakers are working to toughen the penalties for Internet sex crimes against kids. State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) says parents are looking in the wrong places for the bad guys. "They ought to just go in their own dens or living rooms or bedrooms and look at their computers."
The Republican from River Hills says this new legislation (AB942) would strengthen the current law, which provides little or no jail time for Internet sex offenders who prey on children. The Internet Sexual Predators Bill includes fines and mandatory minimum sentences.
"It's an epidemic that needs to be stopped," says State Representative Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford).
Money generated from the fines will go to law enforcement, victims and victims advocates, Suder says.
The measure went before the Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday. Suder, who is Chair of that committee, says he's seeing good bipartisan cooperation in both houses and they are putting this bill on the legislative fast track.
The mandatory minimum sentences are of at least three years for possession and at least five years for distribution of child porn.
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