Latest news with #SenateBill599
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oklahoma made child rape eligible for the death penalty, shirking a Supreme Court ruling
Oklahoma has opened the door for prosecutors to seek the death penalty against someone convicted of rape involving a child under 14 years old, even though capital punishment in such cases has been ruled unconstitutional. Senate Bill 599 was signed into law and becomes effective in November. Current state law allows the death penalty for a second or subsequent conviction of that crime. The bill approved by lawmakers and signed by the governor allows district attorneys to request the convicted be executed after one offense. "Does there have to be a second child? Or is one enough?" asked state Rep. and former prosecutor Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, during debate on the House floor this year. Prosecutors seeking the death penalty in these cases, however, face an almost insurmountable obstacle: the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2008, the court ruled in Kennedy v. Louisiana that the death penalty cannot be imposed for crimes where the victim did not die or where the victim's death was not intended. The bill's author, state Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, told TV news station KOCO that he is confident that the high court will eventually revisit the ruling. Despite the renewed political desire to execute child rapists, capital punishment has become an even rarer sentence imposed by courts in Oklahoma and across the nation. It's been three years since someone has been sentenced to death in an Oklahoma court. Nationwide, there were 26 new death sentences imposed in 2024, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. In 2010, there were more than 100. More: Oklahoma death row: Could Stacy Drake be state's first death sentence in three years? The bill garnered broad support, mostly along party lines, from both the Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives. Despite acknowledging the heinous nature of the crime, some Democratic lawmakers had pointed questions about unintended effects. They expressed concern that if perpetrators know they are eligible for the death penalty anyway, a rapist might care less about keeping their victim alive. Others warned that children might be discouraged from reporting or testifying against a family member if it could mean their execution. State Rep. Michelle McCane, a Democrat from Tulsa, revealed during debate against the measure that she was a victim of sexual assault as a child. "It would have added to my trauma and likely would have made me hesitate to tell on the offender if I had thought the consequence could be they get the death penalty," she said. "Not because I didn't want them to have a severe consequence, not because I was not hurt and upset, but as a small child, that would have been a really big burden to bear and I don't think I would have come forward if that was the case." McCane also questioned the bill's House co-author whether the death penalty is an effective deterrent. "I don't know if it reduces crimes," replied state Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, "but it shows that cowards who commit these crimes get the sentence they deserve." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Death penalty for child rape: Oklahoma law challenges SCOTUS ruling
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oklahoma adopts harshest penalties for child sex offenders
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma is now one of the states with the harshest penalties for child sex offenses after lawmakers paved the way for the death penalty for crimes against children. Gov. Kevin Still signed Senate Bill 599 into law on May 22. Grove man convicted of sexually abusing child; jury recommends life sentence The new law grants prosecutors the authority to pursue the death penalty for individuals convicted of child rape on a first offense. Additionally, it allows judges to sentence individuals found guilty of lewd molestation of a child under the age of 14 to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Meet Brenda Andrew; Oklahoma's only woman on death row Delaware and Ottawa County District Attorney Doug Pewitt said a current U.S. Supreme Court ruling prohibits the death penalty in child rape cases. 'If the court ruling changes, then we will seek to enforce the law,' said Pewitt. In May, Idaho lawmakers approved legislation allowing the death penalty in child rape convictions. Tennessee and Florida passed a law in 2024 and 2023, and Alabama is seeking to pass a similar law. In the 2008 Supreme Court ruling Louisiana permitted capital punishment for the rape of a child under 12 years old. In that case, Patrick Kennedy was convicted of violently raping his eight-year-old stepdaughter she needed emergency surgery to correct her injuries. Kennedy maintained his innocence and was sentenced to death. After the 2008 ruling, Kennedy was eventually sentenced to a life sentence. 'Not since 1964 had anyone in the U.S. been executed for any form of rape.' Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407 (2008) 'Oklahoma is sending a clear and unequivocal message: crimes against our most vulnerable citizens, our children, will be met with the harshest consequences,' said Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain. Stitt's signing the bill into law reaffirms Oklahoma's commitment to justice and to protecting children from predators, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oklahoma prosecutors can seek death penalty for child rape on first offense
Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, pictured May 21, is the author of a bill signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt creating harsher punishments, including the death penalty, for child sex offenders on their first conviction. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — Child sex offenders can be sentenced to death or life without parole on their first offense under a new law signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Senate Bill 599, authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, allows prosecutors to pursue the death penalty for the rape of a child under 14 for first-time offenders. Under existing law, the offender must have been previously convicted of the sex crime to be eligible for the death penalty. For lewd molestation against a child under the age of 12, an offender can receive the death penalty, a sentence of at least 10 years or life or life without parole. The law currently requires a sentence of at least 25 years of incarceration. 'Oklahoma is sending a clear and unequivocal message, crimes against our most vulnerable citizens, our children, will be met with the harshest consequences,' Hamilton said in a statement. The Oklahoma District Attorney's Council was involved in the crafting of this legislation and made recommendations to shape its language, he said. Prosecutors will continue to have discretion about which sentence to seek. Hamilton said this law makes Oklahoma one of the states with the toughest penalties for child sex offenses. 'I deeply appreciate Gov. Stitt for signing this crucial legislation,' he said. 'His action reaffirms our state's commitment to justice and to protecting children from predators who, frankly, don't deserve a second chance.' The legislation passed through the Legislature with the only 'no' votes coming from some House and Senate Democrats. The new law takes effect Nov. 1. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ban on housing discrimination based on immigration status passes Oregon legislature
PORTLAND, Ore. () – After passing the Oregon House on Monday, a bipartisan bill that would ban housing discrimination based on a tenant's immigration status is heading to Governor Tina Kotek's desk to potentially be signed into state law. Senate Bill 599 has several provisions. This includes banning landlords from inquiring about or disclosing the immigration status of housing applicants, tenants or household members. Additionally, the bill modernizes identity verification requirements by allowing different kinds of identification forms that landlords can accept — including Social Security cards, green cards, birth certificates, taxpayer ID number cards and immigration to Representatives Ricki Ruiz (D-Gresham), Lesly Muñoz (D-Woodburn) and Nathan Sosa (D-Greater Hillsboro), the bill would close a gap in state law by explicitly banning housing discrimination based on immigration status. 'This bill is about more than documents — it's about dignity,' said Rep. Ruiz, who is a chief sponsor of the bill with Sen. Wlnsvey Campos (D-Aloha). 'No Oregonian should have to live in fear that where they were born could cost them their home. This bill makes it clear: housing is a human right, and discrimination has no place in Oregon.' Just before the bill passed the House, Gov. Kotek was asked about the legislation during a Monday press availability, where the governor stated, 'We'll look at the bill. Certainly, want to make sure people have access to housing and I think it had bipartisan support so, I look forward to seeing it.' 'Completely ghosted us': PNW customers detail financial losses, unfinished jobs tied to local contractor The bill ended up passing the Oregon legislature with bipartisan support from Republicans, including, Rep. Gregory Smith (R-Heppner), Rep. Cyrus Javadi (R-Tillamook), Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo), and Rep. Kevin Mannix (R-Salem). However, the bill faced opposition from other Republicans, including Rep. Alek Skarlatos (R-Winston), who released a statement on Monday taking issue with the provision banning landlords from disclosing a tenant's immigration status. According to Skarlatos, the bill would put landlords in a position to potentially violate Title 8 U.S.C. Section 1324, a federal law banning 'alien smuggling, domestic transportation of unauthorized aliens, concealing or harboring unauthorized aliens to enter the United States.' 'This bill is yet another example of our state government putting dangerous illegal immigrants ahead of law-abiding Oregonians,' said Rep. Skarlatos. 'This bill reaches a level of absurdity in mandating landlords commit a federal crime to protect even the most violent illegal immigrants and sends a dangerous message: in Oregon lawlessness is protected and speech is policed.' Oregon man imprisoned for killing goat with 'no remorse' Meanwhile, some House Democrats argue the bill would provide necessary housing protections for all Oregonians regardless of their immigration status. 'For too long, our immigrant communities have lived under a cloud of uncertainty and fear,' said Rep. Muñoz. 'Today, we take a powerful step forward to ensure safe, stable housing is accessible to all Oregonians — regardless of their background.' Rep. Sosa added, 'At a time in our country when immigrant communities are under attack, every Oregonian has the right to feel safe in their home, regardless of their immigration status.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oregon House passes bill to prohibit housing discrimination based on immigration status
Oregonians hold signs protesting the Trump administration's immigration policies, on May 1, 2025. (Mia Maldonado / Oregon Capital Chronicle) In a 36-15 vote, the Oregon House on Monday passed a bill to prohibit landlords from asking tenants about their immigration status. Senate Bill 599 — similar to laws in Washington, California and New York — would prevent landlords from discriminating against an individual based on the type of identification documents provided to them. It also prevents landlords from disclosing or threatening to disclose an applicant's or tenant's immigration status. The bill already passed the Senate in a 21-8 vote. It is now headed to the governor's desk, where Gov. Tina Kotek can sign it into law, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature. It would take effect 30 days once put into law. Oregon in 1987 was the first state in the U.S. to pass a sanctuary law prohibiting state and local law enforcement from helping federal officials to enforce immigration law. As the Trump administration has heightened its immigration enforcement, Kotek has repeatedly said she supports Oregon's immigrant community and will uphold Oregon's sanctuary law. 'This bill is about more than documents — it's about dignity,' chief bill sponsor Rep. Ricki Ruiz, D-Gresham, said in a press release. 'No Oregonian should have to live in fear that where they were born could cost them their home. This bill makes it clear: housing is a human right, and discrimination has no place in Oregon.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
