PRESS RELEASE: Carozza Introduces Bomb Threat Prosecution Bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jimmy Williams, (410) 841-3356
Carozza Introduces Bomb Threat Prosecution Bill
ANNAPOLIS – With multiple bomb threats targeted at schools across the Lower Eastern Shore over the last week and a half, Delegate Mary Beth Carozza (District 38C) has introduced a bomb threat prosecution bill that would strengthen the tools used by law enforcement to prosecute those who knowingly make false bomb threats.
HB 121, officially titled Criminal Law – False Statements Concerning Destructive Device or Toxic Material – Venue, would allow law enforcement to prosecute the crime of making a false bomb threat in the county in which the destructive device or toxic material was stated or rumored to be located. For example, if a false bomb threat made against a Worcester County school originates in Delaware, this bill would allow Worcester County authorities to prosecute the maker of this threat.
This bill was requested by Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Carozza also has been in contact with the Wicomico County State’s Attorney and Wicomico County Sheriff in moving this legislation forward.
Carozza has built up a bipartisan coalition of cosponsors, including several members of the House Judiciary Committee, for this legislation. Fellow Worcester County Delegate Charles Otto also is a cosponsor. A hearing on Carozza’s bill will be held on February 2nd in the House Judiciary Committee.
“We need to make sure our law enforcement agencies have every possible tool to go after and prosecute those who are threatening our students and families,” Carozza said. “The high number of false threats targeting our local schools and causing major disruptions in our home community over the last several days only heighten the need for the General Assembly to pass this legislation this session.”
This legislation, first introduced by former Delegate Mike McDermott, has been passed by the House of Delegates in previous sessions.
Matt ever here of extradition or combine all cases?
ReplyDeleteWhile I support and voted for Mary Beth this is a classic example of what I've advocated here on SbyNews and elsewhere before, they [politicians] just want their name on some., .. any, bill. It'll look good on the resume`.
ReplyDeleteI am certain that, like a previous post states, there are any number of existing statutes that will cover this.
Another point I'd like to make is, here we have LE with a direct pipeline to lawmaking and the 'people's representative' responding post-haste to demands.
Mary Beth seems to be suffering from the same 'knee-jerk syndrome' our US Congress did in October of 2001.
ReplyDeleteThank You, Mary Beth!
If there is currently a bar to prosecuting these folks and your bill will remove it you should be commended. Thanks also to the States Attorneys for weighing in. If it's on the books before the crime occurs it will be a great tool. Should be expedited in the Legislature and among the first to get to the Governor's desk.
Mary Beth has plenty of well earned feathers in her cap and doesn't need to "have her name" on a piece of legislation. Mary Beth is a humble, hardworking person.
ReplyDelete