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March 11, 2010

Two good bills — 03/12/10

Sound proposals both have strong bipartisan support

Anonymous The Daily Independent Thu Mar 11, 2010, 05:16 PM EST

Not all bills being considered by the 2010 Kentucky General Assembly are the least bit controversial. Some make so much sense they have the broad support of members of both political parties.

The state Senate and House of Representatives recently approved bills without a dissenting vote. Both deserve similar support in the other body and should be sent on TO Gov. Steve Beshear for his signature.

Senate Bill 17 would make it a felony for workers in state prisons, private prisons contracting with the state, county jails and other detention facilities, including youth detention homes, to have sexual contact with those being held at such facilities. No longer could employees claim the sex was consensual. Even if it is consensual, it would be a crime, and violators could be charged with statutory rape or sodomy, said Sen. Tom Jensen of London, primary sponsor of the bill.

Elliott County Jailer Charles Howard was forced to resign last August after a jury convicted him of rape after he allegedly had sex with a female prisoner he was transporting to the Boyd County Detention Center. Howard, who continues to maintain his innocence, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

House Bill 143 — which has been approved by the House by a vote of 99-0 — deals with “sexting,” a term that was unheard of just a few years ago but is a growing problem throughout the country. The bill would subject those under the age 18 to fines and community service if they are caught sending nude or sexually provocative photos via cell phones or online.

Rep. Martha Jane King, D-Lewisburg, the bill’s lead sponsor, said teenagers aren’t aware of the severity of what they’re doing when they engage in sexting. She said her bill will allow judges to fine minors $100 and order them to perform community service for first-offense sexting.

However, the bill specifically bars violators from being required to register as sex offenders. That’s wise. While certainly improper behavior, most “sexting” proper is being done by those too young to fully realize what they are doing. Requiring them to register as sex offenders would turn a foolish and youthful misdeed into a lifetime sentence.

King said there currently is no law specifically dealing with “sexting.” Her bill will discourage “sexting” without turning it into a major crime.

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Two good bills — 03/12/10

Sound proposals both have strong bipartisan support

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