Other LanguagesOLYMPIA—A bill requested by Attorney General Rob McKenna that would close a loophole shielding users of child pornography from prosecution is scheduled for a public hearing Wednesday.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on SB 5183 at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 in the J.A. Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Room 1.
“After they’ve been convicted, pedophiles typically tell therapists that they’ve had an average of 30 victims each,” McKenna said. “And yet they’re usually only convicted for one or two instances of child abuse. Having this tool at our disposal will give us another way to put these guys behind bars sooner and for longer periods of time – even if they think they’re being clever by not printing out or downloading the images.”
The bill, sponsored by Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens and others makes the viewing of child pornography a class C felony. A companion bill in the House (HB 1247) is sponsored by Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe and others.
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Contacts:
Janelle Guthrie, AGO Communications Director, (360) 586-0725