STATE SENATOR NICK GAUTREAUX CONTINUES FIGHT TO PROTECT CHILDREN

  District 26 State Senator Nick Gautreaux (D-Meaux) is continuing the fight to protect the children of Louisiana from sexual predators. Senator Gautreaux is the author of two pieces of legislation that will increase penalties for those convicted of sexual crimes against minors. Senate Bill 143 prohibits those convicted of sexual offenses from wearing masks or concealing themselves while Senate Bill 144 gives judges the option to impose chemical castration on offenders. Both bills received unanimous approval in committee and now head to the full Senate.

  "These bills are designed to protect our most valuable resource, our children," said Nick Gautreaux. "For too long the punishment for those convicted of harming children in ways that will affect them for the rest of their lives has been too easy. Victims of sexual crimes have to live their entire lives with what has happened to them. Those who commit these crimes should live with consequences that will be with them forever as well. Serious punishments like the ones outlined in these bills might make those who wish to harm our children think twice before they act."

  Senate Bill 143 prohibits child molesters and other sex offenders from wearing masks or other disguises and applies to Halloween, Mardi Gras, Easter, Christmas or any other time that others might disguise their identity. Currently, wearing a mask or hood to conceal identity already is against the law in the state but there are numerous exceptions for Mardi Gras and other holidays. SB 143 also prohibits sex offenders from handing out gifts or candy to anyone under age 18 at holidays for which generally candy is distributed or other gifts given.

  Senate Bill 144 gives judges the option to order a chemical castration for men convicted of numerous offenses, including aggravated rape, sexual battery, selling child pornography, incest, simple kidnapping of children under age 14 and child abuse. Refusal to comply with the treatment would add 3 to 5 years to the offender's sentence. The chemical castration would be mandatory for a second offense. The bill would also allow convicted offenders the option of receiving physical castration instead of the chemical treatments.

For information on this and other important issues, citizens can go to http://senate.la.gov/GautreauxN/.