Stricter sex offense terms gain ground

Baltimore Sun
February 2, 2007
Andrew A. Green

A proposal for stricter mandatory minimum sentences for sex offenders appears to have momentum in the state Senate this year.

Sen. Nancy Jacobs, a Harford County Republican, introduced the legislation, known as "Jessica's Law," yesterday, along with 23 co-sponsors, enough for a majority in the Senate. Similar bills have typically faced more resistance in the House of Delegates.

The legislation would call for sentences of at least 25 years without the possibility of parole for those convicted of the worst category of sex offenses. The General Assembly passed a less strict version of the bill during its special session last summer.

"Those predators are the vilest members of our society," Jacobs said in a statement, "and their vile actions deserve severe punishments."

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