Jetseta's Bill OK'd By Panel in U.S. Senate
'Jetseta's Bill' OK'd by panel in U.S. Senate Inspired by an Iowa victim, the measure includes tougher child sex offender penalties. October 21, 2005 Washington, D.C. — Tougher federal penalties for child sex offenders, prompted by the assault and murder of a 10-year-old girl from Cedar Rapids, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. But Republican Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa had to drop from the bill a provision that would have levied the death penalty on those who kill their young victims. Jetseta Gage went missing from her home on March 24 and her body was found in an abandoned mobile home. Roger Bentley of Brandon, a family friend, has been charged in connection with the crime. Grassley, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, said he was disappointed he had to take the death penalty out of the bill, which would apply in cases of federal crimes, such as when victims are taken across state lines or the crime is on federal property. "I understand that a number of the members of this committee have qualms about the expansion of the death penalty," said Grassley. "I appreciate their concern. I come at the death penalty with much soberness and thoughtfulness. I value human life and would only support expanding the death penalty for the worst types of crimes." Grassley's modified "Jetseta's Bill" was combined with other bills that would strengthen states' sex offender registries and authorize a national sex offender database. The committee approved the package on a voice vote, and it now goes to the full Senate for debate. The bill levies tougher federal mandatory minimum sentences for some child sex crimes, enhances penalties for certain crimes against children, and increases monitoring. Grassley said to get the bill through the committee, he had to give up on other mandatory minimum sentences that brought objections, including mandatory minimums related to child prostitution and child pornography. "Frankly, I believe that these are serious offenses that should be dealt with more harshly," he said. Penalties for sex offenses against children would be increased in connection with the crimes of aggravated sexual abuse of children, abusive sexual contact with children, sexual abuse of children resulting in death, sexual exploitation of children and using misleading domain names on the Web to direct children to harmful material. Also, mandatory minimums would be changed to: • Life in prison if the crime of violence results in the death of a child under age 12. • 30 years to life in prison if the crime of violence is kidnapping or maiming or results in serious bodily injury to a child. • 10 years to life in prison if the crime of violence results in bodily injury to a child. • 10 years to life in prison if a dangerous weapon is used. http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051021/NEWS09/510210372/1001/OBITUARIES

Ok this is the Bill Grassey Sponsored S 956 - Jetseta Gage Prevention and Deterrence of Crimes Against Children Act of 2005 S 956, introduced by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, amends title 18, United States Code, by providing assured punishment for violent crimes against children and increasing penalties from 15-30 years to 25 years or for life for sexual offenses against children including sexual exploitation and pornography. If the crime of violence results in the death of a person under the age of 15 years, offenders would be sentenced to death or life in prison. It also contains provisions referred to as the “Christy Ann Fornoff Act” that would ensure fair and expeditious federal collateral review of convictions for killing a child. According to Thomas Law it has had no activity since 4/28/2005: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4570-4571) So as I understand it this Bill is one of the 5 that were taken apart and combined into S. 1086 and HR 3132.

Senate unanimously approves "Jetseta's Bill" DES MOINES, Iowa The U-S Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would establish a national sex offender registry. It also would guarantee stiffer federal penalties for those convicted of sex crimes against children. The legislation that was passed yesterday has been dubbed "Jetseta's Bill" by Senator Chuck Grassley. The Republican named the bill in honor of ten-year-old Jetseta Gage. The Cedar Rapids girl was abducted, raped and killed in 2005 by Roger Bentley, a registered sex offender. Bentley was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Jetseta's mother, Trena Gage, tells The Associated Press that it hurts that it took her daughter's death for the legislation to go through _ but at least something is being done. The House passed a similar measure in March. Negotiators must reconcile the differences in the bills before the legislation can be sent to President Bush. The Senate bill is S. 1086. The House bill is H.R. 4472. The bills can be found on http://thomas.loc.gov http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4865764&nav=2HAB

'Jetseta's Bill' Passes Senate, Awaits House Approval House To Vote Next Week POSTED: 12:15 pm CDT July 21, 2006 UPDATED: 12:16 pm CDT July 21, 2006 DES MOINES, Iowa -- The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that would guarantee stiffer penalties for child molesters. The legislation is a modified version of what Republican Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley calls "Jetseta's Bill,'' which was introduced in April 2005 to honor Jetseta Gage, a 10-year old Cedar Rapids girl who was raped and killed last year. "Jetseta's Bill'' was incorporated into legislation that would strengthen state sex offender registries, create a national sex offender database and protect children from Internet predators. The comprehensive child sex offender bill is a compromise between the Senate and the House, which will vote on the legislation next week. The bill would guarantee at least 30 years in prison for killing a child, at least 25 years for kidnapping or maiming a child and at least 10 years for seriously hurting a youngster. It would also increase penalties for those who sexually abuse children. http://www.ketv.com/news/9555995/detail.html?rss=oma&psp=news