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Meyer's Aggravated Factors Bill Advances
HB 297 Sexual Offenders Could Have Increased Jail Time

(JUNEAU) - Criminals who use drugs or excessive amounts of alcohol to facilitate felony sexual assault could face increased penalties under a measure sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage) which passed the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

House Bill 297 would create a new aggravating factor in state law that would allow a judge to impose stiffer penalties on defendants who use drugs or excessive amounts of alcohol to lower their victims' inhibitions to the point where they become easy prey to sexual assault.

"Rohypnol and GHB are commonly known as 'date rape drugs' that some sex offenders use to prevent their victims from being able to resist, and to improve their chances of getting away with such crimes," Meyer said. "Date rape drugs are not the only substance used to this end, either. Adults are using large amounts of alcohol to lower the inhibitions of children and make them less able to resist sexual abuse."

Under HB 297, judges who find a felony sexual assault included such use of drugs or excessive amounts of alcohol as an aggravating factor may increase the presumptive sentence of the defendant to up to the maximum term of imprisonment for that offense.

"It is important to realize that this aggravator is applied at sentencing, after a defendant will have already been convicted of sexual assault," Meyer said. "I want a judge to be able to give the perpetrator more jail time if they used drugs or excessive amounts of alcohol as a way to further their offense."

HB 297 moves next to the House Finance Committee.

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