LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: March 6, 2006

 

by State Representative Addia Wuchner

House takes on sex offenders, violent crimes and energy issues

Greetings from Frankfort! With 42 legislative days behind us and just over three weeks left in the 2006 General Assembly, last week was a busy week in the State Capitol Building.

No doubt one of the most important bills we voted on last week was legislation that would increase penalties and tighten registration requirements for sex offenders. Under the bill, all sex offenders would be prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of a school or public playground. Registration for some sex offenders would be increased from 10 years to 20 years. Sex offenders who move to Kentucky must register within five working days of their move or they would face felony charges.

House Bill 3, which passed 98-0, also takes exceptional strides at fighting child pornography, specifically by increasing penalties under the state's child pornography statutes and including the possession of child pornography as a Class D felony. Persistent felony offenders would face life in prison without parole for 25 years for sex crimes against children.

The sex offender legislation also tightens enforcement of early release programs by making it a Class D felony to tamper with monitoring devices they are ordered to wear as part of probation, parole or pretrial release. Incorporated into HB 3 were the provisions of two bills I filed, HB 254 and HB 255.

The elements of HB 254, importuning and telecommunications, were brought to my attention by Boone County Sheriff Mike Helmig and Boone County Sheriff's Detectives who have expertise in dealing with crimes where internet and telecommunications technology has been used to solicit minors. Also included were elements of HB 255 that would require individuals convicted of child pornography to be included in the sex offender registry. It was a privilege to contribute to HB 3 and I was honored to vote for this bill because I believe it will help keep Kentuckians of all ages, including our children, from falling prey to a sex offender.

I also had the opportunity to join my House colleagues in approving HB 585, a measure that would clarify the intention and language of an informed consent bill passed by the 1998 General Assembly. The original law requires women seeking an abortion to be presented with certain facts at least 24 hours before the procedure in a private setting. House Bill 585 would require a face to face consultation with a doctor, licensed nurse or social worker would be required before having an abortion. The legislation would clear up an abuse of the original intent of the 1998 legislation that had been occuring, women were calling and receiving a recorded message about the procedure rather than meting with the health care provider in a face to face situation. Only in a face to face meeting can women obtain the information that will allow them to make a truly informed decision.

I also joined fellow House members in voting for HB 435, a bill aimed at increasing live organ donation. Approximately 70 live organ donations were made last year, but the bill offers incentives that may provide potential donors with a way to help others without losing wages. The provisions of HB 435 include a tax credit and a state program that would cover lost wages or other unreimbursed costs related to the organ donation.

Last week we also passed legislation that would require a statewide program for lead testing children under age six and pregnant women for elevated levels. The measure, HB 117, would establish the blood lead level testing campaign as part of the state's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program. House Bill 117 would bring many state provisions concerning lead-based paint into line with current federal standards. According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 7.3 percent of children between 12 months and three years old were reported to have blood levels considered unacceptable by the CDC.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee sent a bill that would create a violent crime offender registry, similar to the registry used to monitor sex offenders. House Bill 199 would require lifetime registration of violent offenders. Under the provisions of the bill, those convicted of a violent offense who move to the state would have five days in which to register.

Over the next few weeks I hope to continue to update you on our progress as the 2006 General Assembly continues its work. In the meantime, I hope you will never hesitate to contact me to voice your opinion on an issue or receive more information about any of the bills before us this session. I can be reached here at home anytime, or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. If you have internet access you can e-mail me at addia.wuchner@lrc.ky.gov or keep track through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page:http://www.lrc.ky.gov.