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HB 25-1073

Protections Against Child Rape

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brandi Bradley and 3 co-sponsors

HB 25-1073 mandates longer, indeterminate prison sentences for sexual assault against minors, ensuring offenders serve time without probation, enhancing child protections.

House Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely
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Bill Summary · HB 25-1073

Summary of House Bill 25-1073: Protections Against Child Rape

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HB 25-1073
Introduced On: January 8, 2025
Status: Postponed Indefinitely by the House Committee on Judiciary on March 12, 2025
Prime Sponsors: Rep. Bradley, Rep. English

The purpose of HB 25-1073 is to enhance legal protections for children by mandating indeterminate sentences for individuals convicted of specific sexual assault crimes against minors. This legislation aims to ensure that offenders serve significant prison time without the possibility of probation.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory Indeterminate Sentencing: The bill requires courts to impose indeterminate sentences for the following offenses:

    • Class 3 Felony: Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust when the victim is under 15 years old.
    • Class 4 Felony: Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust.
    • Class 4 Felony: Sexual assault on a child.

  • Sentencing Range: The indeterminate sentence would range from the minimum of the presumptive range for the crime class up to the offender's natural life.

  • Prohibition of Probation: Offenders convicted of these crimes would not be eligible for probation, ensuring that they serve time in the Department of Corrections (DOC).

Impact of the Bill

Affected Groups

  • Offenders: Individuals convicted of the specified sexual assault crimes against children would face longer and more certain prison sentences.
  • Judicial System: The bill is expected to increase the workload for trial courts and agencies representing indigent clients due to the mandatory sentencing requirements.

Fiscal Implications

  • State Revenue: The bill was projected to decrease revenue to the Offender Surcharge Cash Fund by approximately $94,185 in FY 2025-26 and $153,387 in FY 2026-27, as offenders sentenced to DOC would not pay probation-related surcharges.

  • State Expenditures:

    • A reduction in expenditures of $290,237 in FY 2025-26, primarily from the Judicial Department.
    • An increase in expenditures of approximately $1.5 million in FY 2026-27 due to the costs associated with longer incarceration periods.

Employment Impact

The bill was projected to reduce the need for probation officers, resulting in a decrease of approximately 3.3 Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) in the Judicial Department.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Judiciary Committee but was postponed indefinitely, meaning it will not advance further in the legislative process unless reintroduced.

Conclusion

HB 25-1073 aimed to strengthen the legal framework surrounding sexual assault against children by enforcing stricter sentencing guidelines. While it proposed significant changes to the penal system, the bill was ultimately postponed indefinitely, halting its progress through the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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