SPECIAL UPDATE ON SEXUAL PREDATOR LEGISLATION

Senator Jacobs Helps Broker a Deal Between the Governor and Senate Concerning Sexual Offender Legislation

(Annapolis, MD June 13, 2006) Maryland took its first step towards strengthening the laws concerning child sexual predators last night and this morning during the special session.

Senator Nancy Jacobs (District 34) and Delegate Anthony O'Donnell (District 29c), sponsors of “Jessica’s Law” in the Senate and the House, were elated with the final outcome. The majority of the sentencing provisions from their “Jessica’s Law” bill were amended into the Governor’s bill – “Sexual Offenders – Supervision, Notifications and Penalties.”

Senator Jacobs and Delegate O’Donnell led the way in negotiating the final bill that passed both the House and Senate early this morning in the waning hours of the special session.

The Governor’s bill provides for extended parole supervision for sexual offenders subject to State lifetime registration requirement and makes other provisions including electronic monitoring of sexual offenders.

Provisions from Senator Jacobs’ bill (SB 2) that was amended into the Governor’s bill provide a mandatory 20-year mandatory sentence for first-degree sexual crimes and rape against children. The standards set forth in the bill will ensure that violent sexual predators will stay off the street and behind bars.

Through the hard work and diligent efforts of Jacobs and O'Donnell, Maryland now joins the 20 states that have passed mandatory minimum laws to protect our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

Read about the bills at:

HB2: http://mlis.state.md.us/2006s1/billfile/hb0002.htm

SB4: http://mlis.state.md.us/2006s1/billfile/sb0004.htm

To contact Senator Jacobs about this bill or other issues of concern please visit her website at http://www.nancyjacobs.com