The proposed "Jessica's Law" as submitted last night by Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball to the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence passed out of committee today. The House bill does not include the Senate's minimum 25-year mandatory sentence for first-time offenders. Witnesses did have concerns that because the majority of child sex cases involve family members or close friends, that the prospect of such long prison sentences could lead to nonreporting of crimes. The "Jessica's Laws" bills are SB 5 and HB 8. Riddle's HB 8 was sent on to Calendars.
The San Antonio Express has more on last night's hearing.
The Dallas Morning News also covered the bill.
Television coverage of the committee hearing.
2 comments:
Rep! You didn't even mention that Capitol Annex liveblogged the HB 8 debate!
Man...how's that for sharing the love with your fellow bloggers? :)
Of course, I'm just kidding with you. I know you're so busy you probably didn't see it. But, I was the *only* blogger to liveblog the debate. It was much more interesting than American Idol (see my post for why I say that).
Vince, sorry I missed the coverage. Here at the Capitol you are the cat's meow, the big cheese, the main man. It won't happen again.
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