House Republican Press Release

June 4, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Noujaim: State House Gives Final Legislative Okay to Jessica’s Law

Legislation Provides Tougher Penalties, Mandatory Sentences for Sex Offenders who Prey on Children

Sex offenders who prey on children will face tougher sanctions and mandatory sentences under Connecticut’s version of Jessica’s Law, which received final legislative approval Saturday by the state House of Representatives, state Representative Selim Noujaim said after the vote.

“Jessica’s Law will give our children added protection from the most dangerous sexual criminals – repeat offenders and those who abduct or use violence against their victims,” said Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury. “It establishes the crime of aggravated sexual assault of a minor, which provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years for first offenders and 50 years for offenders with prior convictions.”

“It will keep violent sexual offenders behind bars for lengthy prison terms where they will be unable to prey on children, our most vulnerable citizens,” “This legislation will ensure that violent sexual offenders are not released from prison after only a few years to prey on our children once again. They are the ones who statistically are most prone to recidivism. This new law will keep them behind bars for lengthy prison terms where they will be unable to repeat their crimes,” Representative Noujaim said.

The measure establishes the crime of aggravated sexual assault, which targets individuals who commit certain crimes against a child under age 13 and:

• kidnap, illegally restrain, stalk, disfigure, cause serious injury to, or use violence against the victim;
• commit the same offense against more than one victim under age 13;
• do not know the victim; or
• have been previously convicted of a violent sexual assault.

Under the legislation, aggravated sexual assault of a minor is a class A felony, punishable by 25 to 50 years in prison, a fine of up to $ 20,000, or both. For first offenders, the mandatory minimum prison term is 25 years. For subsequent offenders, it is 50 years.