Senate OKs longer terms for repeat sex offenders

Repeat sexual offenders would see an increase in the minimum amount of time they serve in prison for having a previous felony sexual offense under a bill approved by the Senate on Tuesday.

The bill sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, passed the Senate 20-0 and would increase the additional sentencing for previous crimes from three years to five years. House Bill 161 also calls for sentencing those who commit sex crimes against a child to the highest of three mandatory sentences if the victim suffered substantial bodily injury or the defendant has a previous criminal record of committing a sex offense against a child.

"It addresses our national concern about child sex abuse and getting tough on child sex abusers," said Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights.