NOTE: For audio of Rep. Winchester on the need of a crack down on sex
offenders in the state go to:
http://www.okhouse.gov//OkhouseMedia/audio.aspx
CONTACT:
Damon Gardenhire, press secretary
Speaker Todd Hiett
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Capitol: (405) 962.7679
gardenhire@okhouse.gov
--Measure to Crack Down on Sex Offenders Clears Committee--
2nd Plank of Republican Keeping Oklahoma Kids Safe Initiative
Heads to Full House
OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 14, 2006) - House Republican leaders moved forward
with their Keeping Oklahoma Kids Safe initiative today by passing a
measure to increase penalties and restrictions for sex offenders.
"This is a major step toward keeping Oklahoma children safe from the
sickest elements of our society," said Speaker Todd Hiett
(R-Kellyville). "The Keeping Oklahoma Kids Safe initiative has
tremendous momentum, and I'm encouraged by the support it has received."
"Oklahoma must do more than just monitor a sex predator's location. We
should give our courts more options, and our children greater
protection," said Rep. Winchester (R-Chickasha), House Speaker Pro
Tempore. "I've worked hard throughout my legislative tenure to protect
children. With newspapers filled daily with these horrific crimes, we
must do more to put these demented criminals behind bars and keep them
there as long as possible."
House Bill 2839, authored by Rep. Winchester, focuses on three areas of
reform to crack down on sex offenders. The bill passed the Corrections
and Criminal Justice Committee today. It now goes to the full House for
consideration.
Rep. Winchester's HB 2839 would prohibit registered sex offenders from
living within 2,000 feet of parks and playgrounds (extending the 2,000
prohibition that already exists for schools). It would strengthen
punishments against sex offenders for crimes that involve the physical
molestation of a child 12 or younger, requiring a mandatory minimum
sentence of 15 years without parole.
In addition, the measure increases the minimum and maximum penalties for
sex offender cases involving children under 16, as well as narrowing the
range of penalties so some offenders cannot receive unjustly lenient
sentences. And it would expand the current "two strikes" provision,
which sentences repeat sex offenders to life without parole.
Hiett said passing three-part Keeping Oklahoma Kids Safe plan is a key
goal of the House Republican caucus for the 2006 legislative session. He
has asked Steele and Winchester to spearhead the three-part initiative.
The other two planks of the initiative are House Bill 2841, which
tighten bail restrictions against dangerous suspects, and House Bill
2840, which increases punishments for those found guilty of child abuse
and neglect.
HB 2841 passed through committee last week, and is scheduled for a vote
on the House floor tomorrow, Wednesday, February 15:
-A Law for Caitlin Wooten-
House Bill 2841 would tighten bail restrictions in order to keep
particularly dangerous suspects from being able to post bond. It passed
a vote of the House Corrections and Criminal Justice Committee last
week. Authored by state Rep. Kris Steele (R-Shawnee) and Rep.
Winchester, HB 2841 is named for Caitlin Wooten, a sixteen-year-old from
Ada who was kidnapped and murdered by her mother's ex-boyfriend after he
had cleared bail.
In September, Ada high school student Caitlin Wooten was killed by her
mother's ex-boyfriend, Jerry Don Savage. Only weeks before, Savage was
able to quickly post bail after being arrested for attempting to kidnap
Caitlin's mother. Restricted by current Oklahoma law, the judge in the
Savage case was forced to set bond at $250,000 - an amount Savage could
afford - because Savage had merely been accused of kidnapping. Only if
Savage had been accused of first-degree murder could the judge have set
the bail higher.
Under HB 2841, judges could consider a number of different factors when
determining where to set bond for a potentially dangerous suspect. These
factors would include the nature of and circumstances surrounding the
alleged offense, as well as the personal history and character of the
suspect, including their mental condition, financial situation, criminal
record, and any history of drug or alcohol abuse.
-Working to Prevent Child Abuse-
HB 2840, which brings strong reforms to protect against child abuse, is
named the Kelsey Briggs Child Protection Act, in honor of the Meeker
two-year-old who died last year from blunt force trauma.
The measure would give the state Department of Human Services and the
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation more authority to work in a
child's best interest. It would also make judges more accountable for
their rulings, give parents more information about their child's case,
ensure that case workers and Court Appointed Special Advocates are
properly trained, and do more to help troubled parents properly care for
their children.
HB 2840 will likely be heard before the House Health and Human Services
Committee next week.
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