Last week, a committee in the Colorado Legislature voted along party lines to “delay indefinitely” a bill that would impose minimum sentences on convicted buyers of children for sexual exploitation. Whether surprising or not, the vote was along party lines even though the bill was co-sponsored by members of both parties, with all Democrats voting against Approval of the draft law and sending it to the Appropriations Committee.
The bipartisan HB24-1092 was sponsored in the Colorado House by Rep. Brandi Bradley (R), Rep. Regina English (D), and Sen. Kevin Van Winkle (R) on the Senate side. The bill would have required minimum sentences for several Class 3 felonies committed against children to serve 4 years, while some Class 2 and 3 felonies would have imposed a minimum sentence of 8 years, as is the presumptive range. For each category of felonies.
Of the 23 lobbying groups named in the legislation, only one was “opposed,” the Colorado Criminal Bar Association represented by Gorman Consulting, while 18 supported the legislation.
According to The Gazette, Colorado is among the top 20 states for human sex trafficking, and with the failure to pass this legislation, it may soon find itself at the top of the list. From the newspaper editorial:
In fact, the US State Department often ranks the United States among the top states for sex trafficking, putting us in first place in 2018. And with sex crimes against children on the rise in Colorado, House Speaker Julie McCluskey and Majority Leader Monica Duran can be blamed. To send the bill to the House of Representatives. 1092 for the murder committee.
Blame committee members Stephen Woodrow, Andrew Boessenecker, Elizabeth Epps, Jenny Wilford, Kyle Brown, Naquita Rex, Jennifer Lea Parente, and Manny Rutinel for rejecting the bill. I thank Republican Committee Members Ken DeGraff, Scott Bottoms and Brandi Bradley for voting against adults who rape children.
Don't blame Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, the father who wants rapists held accountable. He pledges to make Colorado among the 10 safest states, and this law contradicts his efforts.
Although more than 50 witnesses were present at the hearing, including survivors of child sex slavery, all but three supported the bill's passage.
Dr. Karen Pennington, Director of Women for America, submitted a written letter as testimony stating that “the issue of child sex trafficking and prostitution has seen tremendous growth in our country from $500 million to $150.” one billion Every year.” According to Dr. Pennington, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation notes that “a child is bought or sold for sex every two minutes – every day in this country.”
“The victim has Mandatory life sentence From multiple traumas, post-traumatic stress disorder, and mental and behavioral difficulties. I ask you, why don't you want to pass this bill to protect our children? One of the greatest fears of parents and grandparents is justice won't Dr. Pennington witnessed the perpetrators of this crime being brought forward.
One of the most troubling things I've seen so far as a lawmaker is the Democratic opposition on Thursday in committee, to HB24-1092.
Minimum penalty crimes against children who engage in prostitution https://t.co/Xmhu48qrkK
Hear every Democrat on the committee explain why… pic.twitter.com/nMoNPbgby0– Actor Ryan Armagost (RepRyanArmagost) February 17, 2024
Colorado representative Scott Bottoms confirms that people are buying children between the ages of 1-5 for sex
“Almost all the time, they are released on probation after purchasing a child and raping a young child,” he says.
“These are the times when I feel frustrated about my job as… pic.twitter.com/X46Smgn6lc
— WallStreetApes (@WallStreetApes) February 22, 2024
