Delegate Joe Vallario (D-Prince Georges), chair of the House Judiciary Committee is set to kill this week a much needed legislative enhancement to update Maryland’s child predator laws. Sources in the legislature say that Vallario will not allow a vote on HB 254 in his committee, meaning there would be no possibility for the measure to come before the full house for a vote.
HB 254 is a legislative patch to the landmark Jessica’s Law passed by the Assembly in 2007, named in honor of Jessica Lunsford the Florida girl kidnapped and murdered by a paroled child sex offender.
In addition to the current mandatory 25-year minimum sentences for fist-degree child rape, HB 254 would add a non-paroleable mandatory minimum 20-year sentence for second-degree child rape and molestation.
The tort lobby is staunchly opposed to mandatory minimum sentences as they cut into their billable hours. Vallario a trial lawyer himself has only been too happy to oblige his masters by tossing bills the tort lobby doesn’t like into his desk drawer, never to be seen again. With committee votes now posted on line Vallarios’ move has the duel effect of protecting members of the judiciary committee who would naturally vote against bills like HB 254. No vote, no need for members to defend it to the public—especially in an election year.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
5 comments:
I would like to ask everyone to call 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3488. Mr. Vallario CAN NOT bury this bill, becuase we had to bury Sarah.
what if this happened to his child would he feel the same?
An evil stinking democrat like I'm suprised
People that prey on children should receive tougher sentences. All they get is a slap on the wrist, and then they go on with their lives...to abuse more children.
There is no reform for them. It is their sexual preferrence, albeit perverted and sickening.
Just like homosexuals or heterosexuals...no one wakes up in the morning and changes there sexual preference. So, why should anyone believe that a person who sexually abuses any child in any type of way will change?
Just look at the registered sex offender list...its not getting any smaller, it just grows by the day. And, to think, they are the ones that have been caught. How many more are out there?
Anybody in a position to help should do so---especially the politicians. NOW that is something I wouldn't mind seeing our government get involved with.
It is the criminal defense attorneys that oppose this, not the tort lawyers. Vallario and his firm specialize in criminal defense, and frankly should be conflicted out of that chairmanship - but, he is a Dem, and this is MD afterall.
Sickening.
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