= Drue Pearce, 49 KNews from the
Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature
Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press
Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540
Senate Upholds Commitment to Help Keep Alaska’s Children Safe
Bill Strengthens Child Sex Offense Laws
For Immediate Release: March 30, 1998 Contact: Kristy Tibbles, Assistant to Senator Drue Pearce, at (907) 465-4993.
Juneau –The Senate unanimously passed legislation Monday to better protect Alaska’s children against people who possess and distribute child pornography and indecently expose themselves. Senate Bill 323 will increase the penalties of these offenses and require sex offender registration.
"Our State needs stronger deterrents to crimes involving the possession of child pornography and lewd behavior in the presence of children," said Senator Drue Pearce (R-Anchorage), sponsor of SB 323. "We must do all we can to protect Alaska’s children. This is one of many bills the Legislature is working on this year to move closer to that goal."
Currently, distribution of child pornography is a class C felony and possession of child pornography is a class A misdemeanor. Offenders convicted of class A misdemeanors do not receive sentences of more than one year.
"One year is simply not enough of a deterrent," said Pearce. "By making each of these crimes a class C felony, child sex offenders will serve up to 5 years – hopefully enough to make them think twice before committing these offenses against Alaska’s youngest victims."
Anchorage Police Officer Glen Klinkhart has investigated many cases involving the creation, possession and distribution of child pornography. "As the computer and the internet have opened up our ability to learn and communicate, it has also made it much easier for child molesters to gain access to child pornography. We in law enforcement are finding literally thousands and thousands of photographs in the hands of these child pornographers and child molesters," said Klinkhart.
"This legislation tells those people who peddle in this kind of child abuse that we cannot, and will not tolerate it. Mandatory sexual offender registration for those convicted of possession and distribution of child pornography will insure that our citizens will be able to maintain a vigilant watch over those who prey upon the young for their own sexual gratifications," Klinkhart said.
SB 323 will also create the offense of indecent exposure in the first degree if the offender knowingly masturbates within the observation of a person under 16 years of age, making it a class C felony offense. SB 323 will require offenders for possession of child pornography and indecent exposure in the first degree to register as sex offenders. It will also require sex offender registration for the offenders of indecent exposure in the second degree before a person under the age of 16 for the second offense. Currently, only someone convicted for distribution of child pornography is required to register.
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= Drue Pearce, 49 K