House OKs Internet measure

Sexual predators who use the Internet to find their would-be victims would serve more time under a bill that passed the House Tuesday.

Under current law, enticing a minor over the Internet with the intent to commit a first-degree felony is charged as a second-degree felony, which carries a sentence of one-to-15 years in prison.

HB5, sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, would make it a first-degree felony, punishable by three years-to-life in prison.

"Predators like this need to be dealt with, they need to be taken off the streets," Ray said.

The bill also would prohibit state courts from granting probation or shortening or suspending prison sentences when criminal defendants have been previously convicted of specific sex crimes, such as rape, rape of a child, forcible sexual abuse or aggravated sexual assault.

HB5 passed 73-0 and will now move to the Senate for a vote. Ray said the bill is the first of a package of legislation this session targeting sexual predators.