HF 2064 – Child endangerment and mandatory minimums sentences
FLOOR ACTION
HF 2064, as passed by the House, relates to mandatory minimum sentences for child endangerment and robbery in the second degree. The court must set a mandatory minimum between three-tenths and seven-tenths of the maximum sentence (50 years is the maximum sentence) for child endangerment involving an intentional act that results in the death of the child. Currently, there is no mandatory minimum sentence.
In addition, a court must set a mandatory minimum of between three-tenths and seven-tenths of the maximum sentence for robbery in the second degree. Currently, there is a mandatory minimum of seven-tenths (seven years). Under the bill passed by the House, for those currently serving mandatory minimums for robbery in the second degree, the Board of Parole may establish a mandatory minimum of between three-tenths and seven-tenths rather than the mandatory 70 percent. An amendment strikes the section allowing the Board of Parole to change the mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted prior to July 1, 2016.
The Senate adopted an amendment that removes all of the robbery 2nd changes; extends the statute of limitations for child endangerment that causes bodily injury, serious injury or death to 10 years after the child turns 18 or three years after the perpetrator is identified through DNA; and allows the Board of Parole to parole or work release an offender for certain non-violent drug crimes after they’ve served at least 50 percent of their mandatory minimum sentence if they are not at high risk to reoffend.
[4/12: 49-1 (Costello “no”)]