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Assembly backs urging state Senate to move age-of-consent bill; members discuss amendment and committee discharge
Summary
The committee discussed Resolution 2020-624 urging the state Senate to pass House Bill 101 to raise the age of consent to 18. Sponsors described the bill's intent and status; staff noted it may be included in an omnibus bill. Members debated whether to ask the Senate to discharge the bill from committee or narrow language to address omnibus inclusion.
Assemblymember Eicher introduced Resolution 2020-624, asking the borough to urge the state Senate to pass House Bill 101, which would raise the age of consent to 18 while preserving close-in-age exceptions. Eicher framed the resolution as a way for the assembly to support survivors and reduce exploitation, saying the bill would not criminalize teens but would "close the gap" that leaves young people exposed.
Mr. Kelly provided a legislative-status update: HB 101 still exists as a standalone bill but may also be included in a larger omnibus package (House Bill 239) that was released Friday. Kelly said HB 239 bundles multiple measures, including issues ranging from images of minors to the age-of-consent change, and that members should consider whether the resolution should reference HB 101 specifically or an omnibus vehicle.
Assembly members discussed amendment language that would clarify the assembly's request in light of committee procedure. Assembly President Tunstead noted the resolution contained a request for the Senate to use its authority to discharge HB 101 from judiciary committee; he suggested sponsors consider narrowing language so the resolution would apply whether the measure proceeds as HB 101 or as part of HB 239. Mayor Macheke cautioned that explicitly asking for a discharge could politicize the bill and make some senators resistant, but he said he would still support the resolution.
Multiple members asked to be listed as co-sponsors. The chair said she planned to consult with a small group about amendment language before the full assembly meeting. The transcript records lively debate and co-sponsorship offers but shows no committee vote or formal passage of the resolution in the legislative committee.
The assembly noted the bill's policy aim and the trade-offs in trying to press for discharge authority versus focusing on the substantive change; no procedural outcome was recorded in the transcript.
