Committee raises penalties for sexual crimes by persons in authority and clarifies registration tiers

On April 8 the Judicial Proceedings Committee unanimously passed House Bill 501 as amended, a measure that recasts and stiffens penalties for sexual offenses committed by persons in positions of authority. Counsel explained that the bill relocates existing text from fourth‑degree sex offenses into a new section and sets enhanced maximum sentences: for example, offenses involving victims under age 13 carry up to 10 years’ imprisonment on first offense, and second or subsequent violations carry higher maximums (up to 20 years in the amendment discussed).

The amendment also refined how solicitation provisions apply — limiting certain enhanced solicitation penalties to victims under 13 or to second/subsequent offenses — and clarified how offenses map to sex‑offender registration tiers (basic offenses as tier one; particularly serious or repeat offenses as tier three). Senators asked whether the prohibitions only applied to vaginal intercourse; counsel responded the statutory prohibitions include sexual acts and sexual contact beyond vaginal intercourse.

With those clarifications entered on the record, the committee adopted the amendment and moved the bill forward. The committee then conformed Senate Bill 407 to the House posture.