On October 1, 2010, House Bill 254 sponsored by Delegate Steve Schuh of Anne Arundel County officially became law.
CRIMES – SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST CHILDREN – JESSICA’S LAW ENHANCEMENT
Increasing the maximum and mandatory minimum penalties for a person convicted of rape in the second degree of a child under the age of 13 years; and increasing the maximum and mandatory minimum penalties for a person convicted of sexual offense in the second degree against a child under the age of 13 years.
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2010
If a person is convicted of raping a child, you will be eligible for the mandatory minimum of 15 years to life with no possibility of parole and no earning of "good behavior" credits. State's Attorney must file a notice to defendant within 30 days of trial that the prosecutor is going for the mandatory minimum. We must keep the pressure on the State's Attorney's office of every jurisdiction in the State of Maryland.
This was a hard and long fought battle, but we won in the end. It takes determination and a committment to children to get a law passed. We must continue to be a voice for children and prevent them from becoming the next victim of a sex offender who is out on the street.`
