Crime

Consent for sex
(HB236 HD1 SD1 CD1)
Would raise the legal age of consent for sex from 14 to 16. In cases where 14- and 15-year-olds voluntarily have sex with adults who are at least five years older, the bill would allow the adults to be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. The bill excludes cases where 14- and 15-year-olds are married to their sex partners.

Hate crimes
(SB 951 SD1 HD1)
Would impose longer prison terms for criminals who select their victims because of the victims' sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, disability, ethnicity or national origin. In those cases, the penalties for a Class A felonies would be increased from a maximum of 20 years in prison to life; for Class B felonies would be increased from a maximum of 10 years in prison to 20; and Class C felonies would be increased from a maximum of 5 years in prison to 10.

Computer crimes
(HB524 HD1)
Strengthens civil and criminal penalties for computer offenses. This includes first-and second-degree felonies for computer fraud and for intentionally creating and transmitting damaging computer programs. Offenders could face up to 10 years in prison for knowingly accessing a computer without authorization to obtain control over the property of another. Gov. Ben Cayetano has signed the bill into law.

Incompetent persons
(HB645 SD1 CD1)
Creates first- and second-degree penalties for endangering the welfare of an incompetent person. Offenders could be sentenced to five years in prison for intentionally injuring victims who are unable to care for themselves because of physicial or mental disease or defect. An offender who recklessly endangers the welfare of an incompetent person could face misdeanor charges.

Fake identification
(HB986 HD1 SD1 CD1)
Creates a new felony offense punishable by up to five years for manufacturing, importing or selling a "deceptive identification document."

Inmate programs
(SB119 SD1 HD2 CD1)
Would require that women prison inmates be provided a range of programs and services "substantially equivalent" to the programs available to male inmates. The bill provides no money for the required new programs, and instead requires the Department of Public Safety and the Office of Youth Services to prepare an implementation plan and submit a payment request in the 2002 regular session.

Law enforcement animals
(SB1512 HD1 CD1)
Creates a new felony charge of first-degree endangerment of a law enforcement horse or dog for anyone who injures or causes the death of one of the animals. The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison, and requires restitution to include veterinary costs.

Sexual exploitation
Prohibits minors from dancing in strip clubs or working in erotic-type massage parlors. The state could seize properties and businesses that violate the hiring restrictions.

Drug treatment
Would require treatment in lieu of prison for first-time non-violent drug offenders.

New drug penalties
Boosts the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for manufacture or distribution of crystal methamphetamine from one year to two years.

Parole appeals
Would make it clear parole officials may impose minimum prison terms equal to the maximum terms, virtually eliminating a prisoner's opportunity for parole.

Good time
Would allow prison inmates to earn "good time" reductions in their minimum sentences by making progress in vocational training, work, social adjustment, counseling, self-help, educational and therapeutic programs.