Office of Representative Karyn E. PolitoCommonwealth of Massachusetts
News Release
Contact: Allison Roche 617-722-2230
May 1, 2008
POLITO MAKES PROGESS ON SEX OFFENDER BILL
BOSTON – Representative Karyn E. Polito, R-Shrewsbury, a strong advocate for mandatory minimum sentences on child rape, makes progress on her bill in the legislature.
Polito took the House floor during the Budget Debate and explained that she and Judiciary Chairman Eugene O'Flaherty are working with Attorney General Martha Coakley, and the District Attorney's Association to address minimum sentencing for child rape. Speaker Dimasi committed to releasing a bill relative to mandatory minimum sentencing for child rape from the Judiciary Committee to the House membership for debate and vote before the end of May.
Fiscal Year 2009 State Budget Amendment #381, filed by Polito, includes language from House Bill 1688, which she originally filed in June 2006. The language, modeled after “Jessica’s Law”, would create mandatory minimum sentences for child rape, including a minimum of 10 years for the rape of a child under 16, a minimum of 20 years for the rape of a child under 16 with the use of a weapon, a minimum of 20 years for the rape of a child under 12, and a minimum of 25 years for the rape of a child under 12 with the use of a weapon.
“I am pleased to have the support of so many citizens across the Commonwealth on the issue of mandatory minimum sentencing for child rape. I have been assured that this matter will in fact be brought to the House floor for a full debate and a roll call vote on the substance of the bill before the end of May. I am hopeful that the membership will take careful consideration of this legislation prior to the debate, and that the public will continue to weigh in with their thoughts and opinions. It is critical that prosecutors should have mandatory minimum sentences available to them as a tool when considering which crimes to charge sex offenders with based on the crime and the evidence available to them. This will result in longer jail time served for violent sex offenders and lead to better protection and safety of our children,” stated Polito.
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