Crime and Public Safety

Body: Senate | Journal Page:  9269 
Scored? Yes | Right Vote: N
Author: Dille
Acting on: SF2790  Date: 04/06/2010
Result: Amendment Adopted 43 - 20
(Updated: 07/07/2010 | Copyright © BillsandVotes.com)

After adopting the noncontroversial first portion of the Dille amendment, the Senate took up the second portion.  This change would modify the circumstances under which a person could be found guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree (statutory rape) in cases where the victim is between the ages of 13 and 16 (MS 609.344, subd. 1).  The new language would stipulate that the person is guilty if he is more than 36 months older than the victim.  Current law stipulates that the person is guilty if he is more than 24 months older than the victim.  A felony conviction for the older of two high school sweethearts engaging in consensual sex can have a lifelong negative impact.  States vary widely in defining statutory rape and the penalties for it.  Click here for a listing of state-by-state laws as of 2003. 

Sen. Dille made good arguments in support of his amendment, but it was a bad idea to bring this issue up as an amendment on the Senate floor.  This issue needs lengthy committee hearings to allow input from stakeholders on all sides.  A floor amendment with a few minutes of debate doesn't do the institution or the underlying issue justice.  Vote Red.