The Iowa Senate

State of Iowa

Eighty-First General Assembly

STATEHOUSE

Des Moines, Iowa 50319

For Immediate Release Contact: Kimberly Steenhoek

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006 (515) 281-6571

Senators Introduce Zero-Tolerance Bill

Bipartisan Legislation Calls for Tougher Sentences for Sexual Predators

DES MOINES – State senators today introduced bipartisan legislation that calls for a zero-tolerance policy for sexual predators.

“Iowa needs a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual predators,” said Senate Co-President Jeff Lamberti (R-Ankeny). “These people should not be given a second chance to destroy another child’s life. It is time for one strike and you’re out.”

The bill would require a mandatory 25-year minimum prison sentence for an adult convicted of a first-time sexual offense against a child age twelve or under. The legislation is based on Florida’s “Jessica Lunsford Act.” Florida adopted a 25-year minimum sentence for sexual predators in May 2005 after several heinous crimes were committed in that state against children.

“There is a glaring weakness in state law for dealing with first-time sex offenders,” said Sen. Larry McKibben (R-Marshalltown). “In the past, Iowa’s approach has been to require tougher sentences only for those individuals who repeatedly prey upon young children. It’s time to get tough from the start.”

The 25-years-to-life prison sentence would apply to those age 18 or older who are convicted of lascivious acts with a child, sexual exploitation of a minor, or sexual abuse second degree. There would not be a possibility of parole.

The current maximum prison sentence for lascivious acts with a child is 10 years; sexual exploitation of a minor is 10 years; and sexual abuse in the second degree is 25 years.

“A lot of attention has been given to Iowa’s law requiring certain sex offenders to live at least 2,000 feet away from schools and child-care centers,” said Senate Republican Leader Stewart Iverson (R-Clarion). “The more predators we put behind bars for a longer period of time, the less we have to worry about where they live.”

The bill also would make harboring or protecting a sex offender from law enforcement a Class D felony, carrying a maximum five-year prison term and $7,500 fine. Currently, there is no specified punishment for knowingly withholding or providing false information about a sex offender to law enforcement.

“People who harbor sexual predators help perpetrate sexual abuse,” said Lamberti. “We want to send a message that Iowa will not tolerate this kind of crime.”

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