Posted at 4:15 p.m., Monday, July 9, 2001

Legislature plans special session to override governor

Advertiser Staff

The Legislature will hold a special session tomorrow to override the governor's veto of a bill criminalizing sex between adults and young teenagers, House and Senate leaders said today.

It will be the first time in more than 40 years that the Legislature has overridden a veto by the governor.

Gov. Ben Cayetano vetoed a bill that would have prohibited 14- and 15-year-olds from having sex with adults at least five years older. Cayetano said he thought the bill could unfairly target some teenagers and subject them to unreasonably harsh prison terms. The bill makes the offense a Class A felony, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

House and Senate leaders had said they were inclined to address the issue during the regular session next year. But today they said they changed their minds after receiving strong public requests for the override.

The Legislature has until noon tomorrow to override the governor's veto. The House and Senate plan to meet at 10:30 a.m.

House and Senate leaders say they do not plan to open the session to overriding other bills.