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Statement from Rep. Doug
Ericksen, House Republican floor leader, on the signing of House Bill
3277
“Today, Governor Gregoire
signed House Bill 3277 – a bill that authorizes special verdicts for
those who rape children and vulnerable adults. Some have hailed this
bill as among the toughest on sex offenders in the nation, but since the
measure excluded many child rapists from its tough sentencing
provisions, this is not true. Victims, advocates, concerned citizens,
and House Republicans would have preferred a much stronger bill.
"While House Bill 3277 is
a step in the right direction, House Republicans fought for equal
protection to all victims of child rape by applying mandatory sentences
of at least 25 years to all child rapists – not to just the
approximately 45 percent of sex offenders who were unrelated to their
victims. For example, we do not feel it is acceptable that live-in
boyfriends who rape children should be eligible for shorter sentences.
"We will continue to work
in future sessions to ensure that child rapists who commit forcible rape
of a child under 12 get no less than life in prison on the first
offense. House Republicans also want to ensure that a sex offender is
eligible for the Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA)
only if he or she was the victim’s family member and the victim agrees
that the SSOSA is appropriate. We feel this is what’s best to protect
victims and their families.”
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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