Shapiro Files Sex Offender Package

Cornerstone Bill to Create New Offense for Continuous Sexual Abuse

AUSTIN, TX -- Since 1995, Senator Florence Shapiro, District 8, has waged an ongoing battle against sexual abuse of children. This week, she filed a package of six bills dealing with stricter punishments and increased regulations over sex offenders in our state.

Senate Bill 78, the cornerstone of the package, would create a new offense in the penal code for continuous sexual abuse of a child, punishable by 25 years in prison. Continuous sexual abuse can be multiple offenses to one child, or isolated offenses on more than one child.

"The goal is to help prosecutors secure convictions in these most difficult cases where a young child is the victim," Shapiro said. "Under current law, these are the most difficult to prosecute, and our district attorneys need better tools to utilize. This bill will provide those tools, and the result will be more convictions of child predators."

Current state law does not accommodate the prosecution of undifferentiated, ongoing acts of sexual abuse of children. This is important because often times a child is unable to differentiate one instance of abuse from another, or articulate the exact date the abuse occurred.

"Texas must continue to be tougher, smarter, and more strategic in the way we deal with these violent offenders, and give prosecutors the tools they need," Shapiro said. "In the last ten years, I have remained steadfast in the fight to protect our children. I have a longstanding dedication to this issue and will not waiver in my stance against child predators."

Components of the sex offender package include:

• SB 75--Eliminating the order in which repeat offenses are committed. This is a modification of the "Two Strikes Law," which creates an automatic life sentence after two offenses. Current law dictates the order in which the offenses must be committed, in order to count as "two strikes." This bill would eliminate that order, so that any two offenses fall under this provision.
• SB 76--Allowing the status of "sexually violent predator" to be entered into the record of a civil commitment violation trial, for the jury's consideration.
• SB 77--Eliminating probation for sex offenses and violent offenses such as murder, in a jury trial.
• SB 79--Mandating that out of state offenders register in Texas, with a felony penalty for the failure to do so.
• SB 80--Requiring GPS tracking for all high risk offenders on registration.

Senator Shapiro has passed landmark legislation to protect against sexual predators. Her series of bills in 1995, known as Ashley's Laws, protects against, adjudicates, and punishes sex offenders whose victims are children. These laws, which have been strengthened and expanded each legislative session, were national benchmarks, and she continues to dedicate herself to improving the safety and security all of our children.