Jessica’s Law Gains Bi-Partisan Support in the Senate
For Immediate Release
February 2, 2007
Contact: Chris Meekins
410-841-3158
Jessica’s Law Gains Bi-Partisan Support in the Senate
Today Senator Nancy Jacobs with bi-partisan support submitted a
bill (SB 413) to increase Maryland sex offender laws up to the
standards set forth in the nationally renowned Jessica’s law.
Senator Jacobs led the charge to pass Jessica’s Law in 2006, but
during the Special Session, many of the key components were
stripped from the bill. The bill that passed in 2006 was a good
starting point to improving Maryland’s sex offender laws;
however the law that passed watered down the penalty aspects of
the Jessica’s Law.
This bill enjoys strong bi- partisan support. The bill has 24
co-sponsors, 11 of which are Democrats. The five co-sponsors on
the Judicial Proceedings Committee joining with Senator Jacobs
ensure its favorable report from the committee if it is allowed
to come up for a vote.
The proposed legislation states:
• Those convicted of 1st degree sex offense or 1st degree
rape will be sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence of 25
years to life with no chance of parole.
• Those convicted of 2nd degree sex offense or 2nd degree
rape will not be sentenced more than 20 years, but not less than
a five year mandatory sentence without the possibility of
parole.
• Those convicted of 3rd degree sex offense will not be
sentenced more than 10 years, but not less than a mandatory two
years sentence without the possibility of parole
Senator Jacobs made the following statements concerning this
bill:
“Governor O’Malley says he wants to protect our children and is
allocating $2 million for GPS monitoring for some sexual
predators. Knowing that, I expect he will be supportive of this
legislation.
“We must show we value our children by protecting them from
sexual predators. These predators are the vilest members of our
society and their vile actions deserve severe punishments.
“Our children are the most precious resource in our state. We
have an obligation to protect them from those who mean them
harm.
“We can spend millions of dollars educating our children, but
what good is that money if we do not protect them from sexual
predators?”
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