Table of Contents

President’s Message
Greetings everyone from the Free State Capitol of Annapolis, Maryland where dozens of new sex offender laws have been proposed, and more muscle for existing laws is being considered by lawmakers. Read on to learn more about the Maryland legislature’s efforts to approve increasing the minimum prison sentence for child sex offenders and removing the possibility of parole. After weeks-long debates were held in the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee both chambers passed bills, but the House version calls for 15 years for child rape while the Senate calls for 20. The bills need to be reconciled before the legislature adjourns on April 12.
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Maryland Lawmakers Push for Tougher Sex Offender Laws
The Maryland House of Delegates approved tripling the minimum prison sentence from five to 15 years in addition to removing the possibility of parole for child sex offenders. They also voted to eliminate good-time prison credits for the most violent and repeat predators and establish lifetime supervision for them. The House Judiciary Committee also wants to require people convicted of child pornography possession or indecent exposure in the presence of minors to register as sex offenders.
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The Cowboy State Toughens Penalties for Child Sex Offenders
Wyoming became the 43rd state to pass Jessica’s Law last month when Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) signed the law on March 11. The new law creates a mandatory sentence of at least 25 years in prison for perpetrators age 21 or older who sexually assault a victim under the age of 13. It takes effect in July.
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FCC Chair Gets it Right When it comes to Child Safety
When FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski outlined recently how the new National Broadband Plan will benefit children and empower families, he reminded parents to think about the differences between today and when they grew up…how families of his generation probably had one television in the living room, and how watching a favorite band on the Ed Sullivan Show was a weekend highlight.
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Spring Break: Tips for Keeping Your Children Safe On-line
This spring break, tens of millions of teens and young children will take some much needed—or at least strongly desired—rest from their school and enjoy a short vacation. It supposed to be a time to relax and with family and friends. But the place where millions of those children will turn this spring break might have not-so-positive dangers lurking.
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