Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

January 27, 2009   

Contact: Robbie Kenney / (609) 654-1498
Senator Dawn Marie Addiego

A bill introduced by Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder will increase the penalties for predators convicted of preying on children.

“We are putting more teeth in the law,” said Assemblyman Rudder. “By increasing the penalties, maybe we will make these predators think twice. When an offender is caught and convicted, there will be a price to pay.”

The bill, A-3689, increases the penalty for luring or attempting to abduct a child. The current statute requires anyone convicted of a second or subsequent offense to serve a mandatory minimum term of one-third to one-half the sentence imposed, or three years, whichever is greater. The new legislation makes that requirement applicable for first-time offenders.

“It is clear we need to do more to protect the youth in the 8th District and across the state,” said Assemblywoman Addiego. “Our legislation is another line of defense protecting our children, the most vulnerable segment of our society.”

The bill also increases the punishment for kidnapped a child.

“These are serious offenses, and A-3689 assures that the severity of the penalty indicates nothing less,” said Assemblyman Rudder.

Assemblywoman Addiego and Assemblyman Rudder are also the sponsors of the “Safe Places Safe Kids Act,” A-3307.

The bill promotes safety for children by making it a crime to commit certain offenses in a school zone or within 500 feet of a park.

A bill introduced by Assemblywoman Dawn Marie Addiego and Assemblyman Scott Rudder will increase the penalties for predators convicted of preying on children. “We are putting more teeth in the law,” said Assemblyman Rudder. “By increasing the penalties, maybe we will make these predators think [...]