The Oklahoma House passed Senate Bill 599 this week which raises the level of punishment for those convicted of sexually assaulting a child. The bill makes available the death penalty and life without parole as possible sentences for first time, convicted child rapists.
Representative Tim Turner carried the bill in the House. Turner said that 28% of children are sexually victimized, with those age 7 to 13 being the most vulnerable.
“It’s time to stand for our children and tell them they do not have to worry that the person who so deeply hurt them might victimize another child,” Turner said. “Let’s be the voice and tell these cowards that when they harm our children, we will no longer tolerate it, and they will be facing the punishment they deserve – death or a lifetime of incarceration.”
The Senate author is Senator Warren Hamilton.
“There should never be a second chance offered to someone who commits a heinous sexual crime against an innocent child,” Hamilton said. “This is not a mistake—it’s a monstrous, unforgivable act, and nothing can undo the devastation they cause. The only just punishment is death or life without parole, which will ensure that these predators can never reoffend. I extend my appreciation to Representative Turner for his continued collaboration on this piece of legislation and to Ryan Stephenson with the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council for his support and expertise throughout this process. Their efforts have been instrumental in advancing Senate Bill 599 and have brought us one step closer to extending this critical protection to Oklahoma’s children.”
SB 599 passed the House by a vote of 80 to eight. It now heads back to the Senate where the House amendments to the bill will be considered.
