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Committee backs tougher penalties for child-exploitation offenses
Summary
The subcommittee advanced S.7-23 to raise minimum sentences for first- and second-degree child-exploitation offenses and to set tiered penalties for third-degree offenses by number of images; a subcommittee amendment adds a mandatory five-year minimum for repeat registrants.
Lawmakers voted unanimously to report favorably a bill that raises minimum penalties for child-exploitation offenses and creates tiered sentencing for third-degree offenses based on the quantity of images possessed.
Under the measure, first-degree exploitation minimums would increase to five years (from three); second-degree minimums would increase to three years (from two). The bill establishes graduated penalties for third-degree possession: up to 10 years for 1–25 images, 1–10 years for 26–250 images, and 2–10 years for more than 250 images. A subcommittee amendment creates a 5-year minimum for third-degree convictions when the defendant was already required to register as a sex offender; that minimum cannot be suspended and parole is unavailable until the minimum is served.
Committee members discussed enforcement and the volume of cyber tips that law enforcement receives; one senator said tips have roughly doubled from about 11,000 to 22,000 in a year, increasing investigative demands. The committee adopted the subcommittee report and advanced the bill to the full Senate by unanimous vote.
