Lt. Governor Signs Child Safety Bills
Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr. signed into law two bills as acting governor last week to toughen penalties against online child predators and adults who expose children to dangerous drugs.
Attorney General Mark Bennett looks on as Lt. Governor Aiona signs bills to toughen laws against those who put children in danger.
“While parenting is still the best way to protect a child, we see an obligation to better protect children who are being contacted and seduced by online predators,” said Lt. Governor Aiona. “In addition, we recognize the need to toughen penalties for adults who allow anyone under age 18 to inject, ingest or inhale controlled substances not prescribed by a physician.”
Under HB 3040 (Act 80), courts must impose a 10 year prison sentence on predators who communicate electronically with a child (or a person whom they believe is under 18) with intent to promote or facilitate the commission of a felony for which sex offender registration is required; agree to meet with the child; and travel to the meeting place. Act 80 also creates a new misdemeanor offense for offenders who use a computer to transmit images of themselves masturbating or exposing their genitals in a lewd or lascivious manner to a child (or to a person whom they believe is a child under 18). These provisions are effective immediately.
Additionally, Act 80 amends Hawai‘i’s sex offender registration laws in several important ways to make the laws and the registry more useful to law enforcement agencies and the public. These provisions will become effective on January 1, 2009.
“Internet predators misuse technology to reach young people in their homes and lure, trick, shame or pressure them into meeting for sex,” said Attorney General Mark Bennett. “They target children who are too young or inexperienced to recognize the danger of meeting a stranger alone. The new law sends a clear message to these predators: Law enforcement agents are looking for you, and if you are convicted you will receive a 10 year prison sentence.”
Under HB 2346 (Act 81), which takes effect July 1, 2008, it is also illegal to cause a minor to inhale, ingest or inject a dangerous drug.
The measure stems from incidents of young children found and removed from clandestine meth labs, where they were exposed to ingredients of this dangerous drug. This measure makes it a class C felony for an adult to intentionally cause or allow anyone under age 18 to inject, ingest or inhale controlled substances not prescribed by a physician.
The two bills to protect Hawai‘i children were part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s legislative package.
"Our Administration appreciates all the work and coordination that has gone into creating these new laws," Lt. Governor Aiona said. "We will continue to work with federal and local law enforcement, as well as industry and community advocacy organizations to send a strong message that these crimes will not be tolerated in Hawai`i."
