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Committee passes bill imposing mandatory fine and prison sentence provisions for child-exploitation convictions
Summary
Senate Bill 551, as amended, clarifies felony consequences for conviction of child sexual exploitation material and adds a mandatory fine of up to $5,000; the committee passed the amended bill 6–1 after sponsor said conviction would ordinarily carry imprisonment.
Senator Woods presented Senate Bill 551 and an accompanying amendment clarifying that on conviction for felony child exploitation material the offender would be subject to incarceration rather than county jail and could face a mandatory fine of up to $5,000.
"Upon conviction of this crime, you're going to prison, and you're getting a fine," Woods said, describing the measure as a constituent-request bill intended to ensure prison time for those convicted rather than a county-jail disposition. Committee members asked whether the bill was in response to specific cases and discussed sentencing ranges; Woods said the bill reflected constituent concerns and that judges retain sentencing discretion within statutory parameters.
After debate and questions, the committee recorded a vote and the clerk announced SB 551 had passed with 6 ayes and 1 nay.
