Name one time when someone has raped a child and got off lightly. I think our lawmakers are a little paranoid or trying to be the tough guy. It doesn't make any sense to me that someone can commit murder and get 15 years to life, but someone rapes a child and can get 25 years to life. What about someone that is wrongfully accused or convicted? What about the situation where an 18 year old rapes a 15 year old? Should they get a minimum 25 year sentence? I think reason not emotion needs to govern this decision.

Although this may be a step in the right direction, I still quetion why a person can kill another and only get 6-life.

Long, long, overdue! Now, families need to face the reality of abuse in their own ranks and stop protecting the perpetrators rather than the children. There is always an explanation for abuse but NO EXCUSE! Abuse of children is a huge problem that this bill will only begin to address but it certainly is a step in the right direction.

To Anonymous: The DesNews has always been against mandatory minimum sentences so this new law faces an uphill battle unless the DesNews changes its mind which I believe it should. Your assertion that an 18 year old rapes a 15 year old and gets the maximum doesn't apply because the new law is to protect children 13 years of age and younger. Raping a child deserves 25 to life because in a sense you are committing the death of a child. These children are scarred and ruined for life. The perp must be put away for a long time so that they can no longer commit their heinous acts on others. You asked for evidence that child rapists get light sentences. Well, 42 other states have looked into this including liberal states like California and Oregon and they agree that too often child rapists get off easy so these states have passed versions of Jessica's Law. Utah will be the 43rd. Go to the AdamWalsh website if you want more info on some of the light sentences that have been handed down. Look at the Utah sex offenders registry and see how many live next to you.

It is about time! Enough is enough! Our children must be protected! I would prefer the death penalty, but 25 to life will have to suffice. There is no excuse...none...for child molestation. And the pathetic excuses for human beings that perpetrate such sick behavior should have no place in our society. The physical and emotional scars that the poor innocent children will have to bear for the rest of their lives requires severe punishment; liberal attitudes toward the criminals be damned.

As for the murderers receiving weaker punishment than child molesters...I agree that is wrong, but that is an argument for longer sentences for the murderers, not shorter ones for child molesters. Americans need to grow a spine and demand that criminals be punished in accordance to the severity of their crimes.

Way to go! I hope every sexual abuser who reads this article is shaking in their boots! I know one father who sexually abused his daughter at the age of 3 and 4, and GOT AWAY WITH IT because Child Protective Services were not doing their job. They blamed the mother. One day this guy will get caught literally w/ his pants down. Then he will get the years in prison he deserves. Go for Jessica's Law and get it passed quickly!!!! And hurrah for Jessica's father for his time and effort in this cause! God bless him.

I sure hope this makes it to the governor's desk.

There is nothing more disgusting and repulsive than any sort of sexual activity between an adult and a child.

Anyone that would do such a thing is beyond any sort of help or rehabilitation, and should be locked up for the the rest of their natural life WITHOUT the possibility of parole.

There is no place for sexual predators in society, and letting them out is nothing but an invitation for them to re-offend.

I the law is about getting 25 to life but not staying at that hotel by the point of the mountain but by the border building a fence. Then, they would think twice before even touching a child. When it's about a child, it's never too hard. Sorry Anonymous # 1, but these abusers easily get in troubles again after being released. That's why the sex offender registry. The longest they are away, the better.

Why do we keep passing laws when there are no studies to back up if by passing the law the situation gets better, or if it just prolongs the problems? Seems like we're making lots of laws based on our emotions and brining justice, like this one. Not to say it isn't a good thing, because child sex abuse is wrong, but when are we going to make laws that target ending or decreasing perpetration?

To Sue, looks like we need to make laws or enforce rules already in place with child protective services. The problem is not just in the sentencing for the perpetratiors, it is in the whole system. It seems like this is an emotion evoking topic and is often not looked at with reason. We need to get more creative to stopping this problem.

I think that lawmakers are doing the right thing by passing this law any one who would be so low that they would rape a young innocent child should be thrown in prison for the rest of their life the long term effects that things like this have on a child are much worse than any prison sentence could ever be on a grown man AS Bill O'rielly says STOP THE SPIN PASS JESSICA'S LAW NOW