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Committee advances bill to allow capital punishment for sexual abuse of children 13 and younger; AG and defense counsel flag constitutional conflict
Summary
Senate Bill 375 would permit capital punishment for sexual abuse of children 13 or younger. The Attorney General's office told the committee the measure conflicts with current U.S. Supreme Court precedent; the committee nevertheless voted to pass the bill.
Senate Bill 375, presented by Senator Matt Stone, seeks to expand capital punishment to certain sexual-abuse offenses against children aged 13 and younger. The Judiciary Committee debated the measure at length on May 20 and approved it by voice vote after hearing concerns about constitutional viability and prosecutorial capacity.
Why it matters: If enacted, the bill would broaden the category of offenses eligible for the death penalty — a move the Attorney General’s office said is inconsistent with current U.S.…
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