"Jessica's law" testimony I delivered in favor of LD 46 to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
I would like to share the testimony I delivered in favor of LD 46 to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
LD 46 - An Act To Create Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Persons Convicted of Certain Sex Offenses against Victims under 12 Years of Age.
summary - This bill changes the sentence for gross sexual assault against a victim who is under 12 years of age to a period of imprisonment of 25 years, none of which may be suspended. If the defendant had previously been convicted and sentenced for committing gross sexual assault, rape or gross sexual misconduct against a person who is under 12 years of age, the court must impose a sentence of life imprisonment, none of which may be suspended.
Good morning Senator Diamond, Representative Gerzofsky, and members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. My name Kathy Chase and I represent House District #147, which is most of Wells. I am a co-sponsor of LD 46 and I am testifying in favor of this bill.
Sexual assault against a victim who is under the age of twelve has become a frighteningly growing crime across the nation and unfortunately for us, Maine is no exception.
While taxes, jobs, business growth, education, healthcare—and other concerns
we may deal with as legislators occupy many hours of our work here in Augusta, I believe we can all agree that it is the safety of our young that is most important to all of us.
It is an issue that is especially dear to my heart as we have 6 grandchildren living here in Maine, all under the age of twelve.
There are those who prey on children. That fact is chilling, devastating and all too real. I want to know that if someone sexually abuses a child here in Maine, they are punished and punished harshly.
Currently, hundreds of these predators are living in this state. An article in the March 29th edition of the Waterville Morning Sentinel entitled “Sex Offenders: Still a BIG Problem in Maine” quoted Police Chief John Morris as stating: “Today as we sit, there are 72 registered sex offenders in this city. We are investigating another 10 right now, who are new registrants. Every one of the 82 are people who have sexually violated young children.”
In that one town—not that far from where we’re standing this morning—is just one group of predators that has scarred the lives of more kids than there are in my grandson’s entire second grade. They’ve been convicted, served some sentence—and they are back out in our society. Statistically they repeat their crimes.
In the same Waterville Morning Sentinel article discussed previously, Chief Morris goes on to say: “There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that some registered child sex offenders will re-offend.” If just one of them does, it is one too many. If just one of them does, which one of your children, or grandchildren could be the victim.
Last year the legislature had the opportunity to pass this bill – or one very similar to it.
What eventually passed was slightly better than previous existing law. When it comes to the safety of our children, slightly better is not strong enough.
LD 46 says if you are convicted of a gross sexual assault against a child under the age of twelve years, you will serve a mandatory 25 year sentence. If you are convicted of a gross sexual assault against a child under the age of 12 and you have previously been convicted and sentenced for committing gross sexual assault, rape or gross sexual misconduct against a child who is under the age of twelve, you will be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Other states have already passed laws similar to LD 46, and even more are in the process of doing so. If we do not, my fear is that Maine will be viewed as an easy state for those who commit these crimes.
As legislators we are in the unique position here in our state to create and pass laws that can protect our children from these real monsters. No one other than us can do it. It is our responsibility—no one else’s.
We need to prevent crimes against our children by being known as a tough state for those who would harm our young. LD 46 must be passed and not weakened this time.
The rest of the country and the predators within this state need to know that if you sexually assault a child in Maine and you are convicted, you will go to prison for 25 years. Period.
Thank you for allowing me to testify.
Kathy Chase
House District #147
LD 46 - An Act To Create Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Persons Convicted of Certain Sex Offenses against Victims under 12 Years of Age.
summary - This bill changes the sentence for gross sexual assault against a victim who is under 12 years of age to a period of imprisonment of 25 years, none of which may be suspended. If the defendant had previously been convicted and sentenced for committing gross sexual assault, rape or gross sexual misconduct against a person who is under 12 years of age, the court must impose a sentence of life imprisonment, none of which may be suspended.
Good morning Senator Diamond, Representative Gerzofsky, and members of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. My name Kathy Chase and I represent House District #147, which is most of Wells. I am a co-sponsor of LD 46 and I am testifying in favor of this bill.
Sexual assault against a victim who is under the age of twelve has become a frighteningly growing crime across the nation and unfortunately for us, Maine is no exception.
While taxes, jobs, business growth, education, healthcare—and other concerns
we may deal with as legislators occupy many hours of our work here in Augusta, I believe we can all agree that it is the safety of our young that is most important to all of us.
It is an issue that is especially dear to my heart as we have 6 grandchildren living here in Maine, all under the age of twelve.
There are those who prey on children. That fact is chilling, devastating and all too real. I want to know that if someone sexually abuses a child here in Maine, they are punished and punished harshly.
Currently, hundreds of these predators are living in this state. An article in the March 29th edition of the Waterville Morning Sentinel entitled “Sex Offenders: Still a BIG Problem in Maine” quoted Police Chief John Morris as stating: “Today as we sit, there are 72 registered sex offenders in this city. We are investigating another 10 right now, who are new registrants. Every one of the 82 are people who have sexually violated young children.”
In that one town—not that far from where we’re standing this morning—is just one group of predators that has scarred the lives of more kids than there are in my grandson’s entire second grade. They’ve been convicted, served some sentence—and they are back out in our society. Statistically they repeat their crimes.
In the same Waterville Morning Sentinel article discussed previously, Chief Morris goes on to say: “There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that some registered child sex offenders will re-offend.” If just one of them does, it is one too many. If just one of them does, which one of your children, or grandchildren could be the victim.
Last year the legislature had the opportunity to pass this bill – or one very similar to it.
What eventually passed was slightly better than previous existing law. When it comes to the safety of our children, slightly better is not strong enough.
LD 46 says if you are convicted of a gross sexual assault against a child under the age of twelve years, you will serve a mandatory 25 year sentence. If you are convicted of a gross sexual assault against a child under the age of 12 and you have previously been convicted and sentenced for committing gross sexual assault, rape or gross sexual misconduct against a child who is under the age of twelve, you will be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Other states have already passed laws similar to LD 46, and even more are in the process of doing so. If we do not, my fear is that Maine will be viewed as an easy state for those who commit these crimes.
As legislators we are in the unique position here in our state to create and pass laws that can protect our children from these real monsters. No one other than us can do it. It is our responsibility—no one else’s.
We need to prevent crimes against our children by being known as a tough state for those who would harm our young. LD 46 must be passed and not weakened this time.
The rest of the country and the predators within this state need to know that if you sexually assault a child in Maine and you are convicted, you will go to prison for 25 years. Period.
Thank you for allowing me to testify.
Kathy Chase
House District #147
posted by Kathleen Chase at
8:53 PM
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