Juneau -- Rep. Norman Rokeberg (R-Anchorage) introduced legislation this week that would strengthen protection of sexually abused minors.

House Bill 67 provides that the judicial system could no longer release a person charged with sexual abuse of a minor unless there is 24 hour supervisor by a third-party custodian approved by the court.

"This legislation stems from a situation faced by one of my constituents during the past year," Rokeberg said. "This person's young child was sexually abused and the parent was not notified of the bail hearing. The predator, who changed his plea at the last minute, was released back into the community with minimal supervision, despite the District Attorney's request for 24-hour supervision."

The bill also provides that comments from victims would be solicited and considered by the court at a bail hearing.

"While this is currently a practice, my legislation would place this right of the victim to be heard in statute," Rokeberg said.

The legislation is being introduced in response to a situation faced by a constituent who contacted Rep. Rokeberg during the interim.

# # #