Texas Senate Passes/ House Rejects Jessica's Law
Apr 24, 2007 2:20 pm US/Central Texas Senate Passes Version Of Jessica's Law (AP) AUSTIN The Texas Senate today passed its version of "Jessica's Law." The get-tough measure on sexual predators includes a possible death penalty for those who are twice convicted of raping children under 14. The bill creates new categories of sexually violent offenses against children under 14. Any aggravated sexual assault on a child under six automatically carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison. A second offense of those crimes could carry the death penalty. The bill also enhances punishments for most sex crimes against children and extends the statute of limitations for prosecution. Critics have questioned whether the death penalty in cases where the victim does not die would be unconstitutional. The Texas House of Representatives passed a different version of Jessica's Law last month. It also includes the death penalty in some child sex cases. The Texas version would make the Lone Star State the sixth to allow some child sex offenders to be sentenced to death. http://keyetv.com/local/local_story_114152139.html

House Rejects Jessica's Law May 2, 2007 09:04 AM EDT The House rejected the Senate's version of "Jessica's Law," a get-tough bill aimed at sexual predators that includes a possible death penalty. A conference committee made up of House and Senate members now will try to work out a compromise. "All of the concerns are minor," said Rep. Debbie Riddle, a Tomball Republican who sponsored the bill in the House. "This is a good bill. I think we need to polish it." The Senate version includes a provision that carries a possible death penalty for those who are twice convicted of raping children under 14. House members approved a bill designed to crack down on sex offenders who repeatedly prey on children by creating a new category of crime: continual sexual abuse of a young child or children. It carries a minimum of 25 years to life in prison and possibly the death penalty for a second offense. The bill is named after Jessica Lunsford, a Florida girl who was abducted and killed. More than a dozen states have passed versions of Jessica's Law. http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=6457740&nav=menu73_2_6