HB 259 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SENTENCES FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES.

Summary

In 2006, Delaware enacted “Jessica’s Law,” which requires first time offenders convicted of a specified sexual offense against a child under 14 years of age and individuals previously convicted of a Class A or B sexual offense in Title 11 and subsequently convicted of a specified sexual offense sentences be sentenced to at least 25 years in prison, up to life. The specified sexual offenses in “Jessica’s Law” are Rape in the Third Degree (where the defendant engages in sexual penetration with the victim without the victim’s consent or with a victim who is under 16 years of age and causes physical injury or serious mental or emotional injury); Rape in the Second Degree; Rape in the First Degree; Dangerous Crime Against a Child; Sexual Offender Unlawful Sexual Conduct Against a Child; and Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust, Authority, or Supervision in the First Degree (where the defendant engages in sexual penetration or sexual intercourse with a child under 16 years of age). Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Nation Incident-Based Reporting System indicates that 1 of every 7 victims of sexual assaults is under the age of 6. This Act updates “Jessica’s Law,” enhancing penalties for especially vulnerable victims, as follows: (1) Requiring that an individual convicted of one of the specified offenses in “Jessica’s Law” be sentenced to an additional 5 years in prison if the victim is a child under the age of 7. (2) Requiring that an individual convicted of Unlawful Sexual Contact in the First Degree (involving a child under the age of 13) or Kidnapping in the Second Degree (for the purpose of violating or abusing the victim sexually) be sentenced to at least 5 years in jail if the victim is a child under the age of 7. (3) Requiring that an individual convicted of Kidnapping in the First Degree (for the purpose of violating or abusing the victim sexually) be sentenced to at least 10 years in jail if the victim is a child under the age of 7. Additionally, this Act requires the Superior Court to impose these sentences upon the application of the State.

Bill Text

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This bill enhances sentencing requirements for certain sexual offenses against children under the age of 7.

• § 4205A

  of any crime set forth in § 771(a)(2), § 772, § 773, § 776, § 777, § 777A, § 778(1) or (2) of this title shall be sentenced to not less than 25 years up to life imprisonment to be served at Level V if one of the following apply: → of any crime set forth in § 771(a)(2), § 772, § 773, § 776, § 777, § 777A, § 778(1) or (2) of this title, shall be sentenced to not less than 25 years up to life imprisonment to be served at Level V if one of the following applies:

  Clarifies the conditions under which a defendant is sentenced to not less than 25 years up to life imprisonment.

• § 4205A(c)

  if the victim of the crime set forth in subsection (a) of this section is a child less than 7 years of age.

  Adds an additional 5 years to the sentence if the victim is a child under 7 years old.

• § 4205A(d)(1)

  to not less than 5 years to be served at Level V if the victim of the crime is a child less than 7 years of age.

  Establishes a minimum sentence of 5 years for crimes against children under 7.

• § 4205A(d)(2)

  to not less than 10 years to be served at Level V if the victim of the crime is a child less than 7 years of age.

  Establishes a minimum sentence of 10 years for specific crimes against children under 7.

Action History

1. July 01, 2018

   Signed by Governor

2. June 19, 2018

   Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT

3. June 13, 2018

   Reported Out of Committee (Judicial & Community Affairs) in Senate with 4 On Its Merits

4. June 05, 2018

   Assigned to Judicial & Community Affairs Committee in Senate

5. June 05, 2018

   Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 2 ABSENT

6. June 29, 2017

   Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 5 On Its Merits, 1 Unfavorable

7. June 23, 2017

   Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House

Sponsors

• Kimberly Williams · Primary
• Brian Pettyjohn · Cosponsor
• Sean M. Lynn · Cosponsor
• David L. Wilson · Cosponsor
• John J. Viola · Cosponsor
• Stephen Smyk · Cosponsor
• Melanie George Smith · Cosponsor
• Michael Mulrooney · Cosponsor
• John L. Mitchell · Cosponsor
• Helene M. Keeley · Cosponsor
• Ruth Briggs King · Cosponsor
• Bruce C. Ennis · Cosponsor
• Catherine Cloutier · Cosponsor
• Colin Bonini · Cosponsor
• Deborah Hudson · Primary
• Joseph E. Miro · Primary
• Gregory F. Lavelle · Primary
• Andria L. Bennett · Primary

Votes

Subjects