CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch, the Attorney General, county attorneys, police chiefs and lawmakers today unveiled The Child Protection Act, comprehensive legislation to protect New Hampshire's children against sexual predators and other crimes.

"People who prey sexually on children are among the worst criminals we face," Gov. Lynch said. " It's time to send a clear message: If you prey on children in New Hampshire, we will send you to prison - and we're going to keep you there for a long time."

Under the Act, prosecutors will be able to seek a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years for someone who molests a child under the age of 13; a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years for someone who purposefully permanently injures a child; and a minimum mandatory sentence of 35 years for the second-degree murder of a child. A second offense in any of these cases would be subject to a sentence of life in prison without parole.

"These sentences are fitting for the destruction of young lives that sexual predators cause. Not only do sexual predators physically harm children, they rob them of their childhoods. The harm predators do stays with their victims for the rest of their lives," Gov. Lynch said.

In August, Gov. Lynch asked the Attorney General to work with New Hampshire's police chiefs and county attorneys to undertake a comprehensive assessment of New Hampshire's child protection laws.

"This proposal encompasses the collective recommendations of the Attorney General and county attorneys - the people who try these cases; our police chiefs - who work every day to keep children safe; and the victims> '> advocacy community - who work to keep the needs and rights of victims at the forefront of our criminal justice system," Gov. Lynch said.

The assessment included a review of New Hampshire's existing laws, Jessica's Law in Florida, and other child protection laws across the country.

"This legislation gives prosecutors and law enforcement tools they need to keep sexual predators off the streets and to hold our worst child abusers fully accountable," Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said. " This legislation goes beyond Jessica's law and is a New Hampshire approach to protecting the children who have already been harmed and preventing other children from suffering the same fate."

The Child Protection Act contains 28 provisions aimed at increasing the penalties on people who prey sexually on children, increasing penalties for murdering or permanently injuring a child, improving registration and monitoring of sexual predators, and giving parents better information about whether sexual predators are living in their neighborhoods.

In addition to the new sentencing provisions, the Act also:

• Allows for civil commitment of sexual predators who have been convicted, found not guilty by reason or insanity, or found incompetent to stand trial.
• Requires the Department of Corrections to implement a GPS monitoring system of sexual offenders by July 1, 2008.
• Increases the number of offenders who will be required to register.
• Enable local communities to prohibit sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare facility or park where children regularly gather.
• Requires offenders to register more often, and report their work addresses and descriptions of their cars.
• Increases penalties for failing to register.
• Creates new penalties for people who interfere with the registration of a sexual offender.
• Requires the Department of Safety to verify offenders' addresses

"Our children are New Hampshire's most precious resource, and among our most vulnerable citizens. Nothing could more important than keeping our children safe, and our children deserve the protection that this legislation would provide," Gov. Lynch said. "And sexual predators have earned the tough penalties this legislation would ensure."

Gov. Lynch praised Republican and Democratic lawmakers who are working on this issue, "I intend to work with all of them to quickly pass new child protection measures into law."

Please read the SUMMARY OF THE CHILD PROTECTION ACT OF 2006

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