Kentucky lawmakers are pushing for a sweeping crime bill that calls for harsher penalties for many crimes, including a “three-strikes” sentence that would sentence felons who commit a violent act for the third time to life in prison. promoted the bill.
House Bill 5, led by Republican Rep. Jared Bauman, passed on a 74-22 vote Thursday and now heads to the Republican-led Senate.
“With this bill, House Bill 5, we are reasserting some basic and simple truths,” Bauman said. “That there is right and wrong, and that criminals, not society, are responsible for their actions. And that society has the right to protect itself from criminals.”
The bill proposes harsher penalties for several crimes, from vandalism to attempted murder, but a key element is the “three strikes” clause, which means that a third violent This is because those who commit serious crimes will be imprisoned forever.
Republican-led Kentucky House committee approves '3 strikes' crime prevention bill
The Kentucky House of Representatives on Thursday passed a sweeping crime bill 74-22 that would impose harsher penalties for many crimes and sentence third-time violent felonies to life in prison. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
“If someone commits three violent crimes and goes to jail and never gets out, they're not going to commit another violent crime,” said Congressman John Blanton. “That's a fact.”
Other key elements of the bill include limiting bail amounts through compassionate bail organizations, cracking down on distribution of fentanyl that results in death, making killing of first responders in the line of duty a crime punishable by the death penalty, and This includes obligations to those who have received it. For carjackings, a person must serve at least 85% of the sentence before being eligible for probation or parole.
Early release would also be prevented for offenders who possessed a gun as a convicted felon or while on probation or parole, or who knew the gun was stolen. Become. Adults who use minors as accomplices will face harsher penalties.
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The bill would give employees and business owners immunity if they must use a “reasonable amount of force” against a thief or to protect themselves or their business. Become.
The bill also aims to ban camping on the streets and allow local governments to designate temporary camping sites for homeless people.
House Bill 5 would require many offenders to serve a large portion of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole or probation. (I stock)
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House members debated the bill for about three hours, according to the Associated Press.
Supporters said it was an outdated policy shift focused on holding criminals accountable for their actions, while opponents said it would put more people in prison and expose unknown It was argued that it would cause further costs.
Opponents also said the bill goes too far and doesn't address what leads people to crime.
“It's certainly about 20 different bills crammed into one,” Democratic Rep. Sarah Stoker said. She said: “I don't know why we're rehashing and repeating the failed attempts of the '90s.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
