Update: Results of Action after April 16th Alert

Thanks for your contacts and prayers.  Several of us attended the meeting to protest changes in H.B. 571, that appeared to accomplish the dreaded outcomes of S.B. 304 that had already died in committee for lack of a quorum.

Just minutes before the meeting convened, Representative Golick asked us to come out in the hall, so he could explain our worries away.  He assured us there is no connection between S.B. 304 and H.B. 571, pertaining to the State Sexual Offender Registry, although similarities in language caused our alarm.

Again, the next day, April 20^th, I took all three versions of S.B. 304 to him and explained how the language moved from Code Section to Code Section, causing changes in H.B. 571 to appear as another move to accomplish S.B. 304’s goal.

First, S.B. 304 was in Code Section 16, relating to sexual offenses.  Then, the proposed committee substitute put it in Code Section 15, relating to juvenile offenses, victim compensation and programs and protection for children and youth.  That was outright confirmation that the goal of S.B. 304 was to provide victim compensation for juvenile workers in the sex trade.

In addition to that, Lt. Gov. Cagle’s legal staff had stated to us, personally, that the issue of S.B. 304, deeming juvenile sex workers eligible for victim compensation, would be back in the 2011 session.  So, we’re on high alert for bills that could be used to attach that language before this session is over.

We were assured on Monday, April 19^th and I was assured again on Tuesday, April 20^th, that H.B. 571 is not being used for that purpose, but we remain vigilant.  One other bill in the current process could be used as a vehicle, but hopefully, that won’t happen, either.

Again, I thank you for your wonderful response.  A really good thing has happened during this process.  Both House and Senate are very aware that any attempt to legalize or decriminalize prostitution, masturbation for hire or pornography (for any age) will be met with stiff opposition.

Would the Georgia Senate unseat two committee chairmen and fire the minority whip in order to pass a bill decriminalizing juvenile prostitution, masturbation for hire and involvement in pornography?
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PLEASE ACT QUICKLY, this bill will be in committee
Monday, April 19th at 2:00, Room 450, State Capitol.

Whether it’s coincidence or a well-planned strategy, the radical change in the Senate Judiciary Committee might mean the passage of S.B. 304 as an amendment to H.B. 571.

H.B. 571 was on the Judiciary Committee’s Thursday April 15th agenda, but was postponed until Monday for further amendments or refinement.

Two pages of the committee substitute already have language to decriminalize juvenile sex acts. Components of S.B. 304 are now evident in H.B. 571. Consider this: S.B. 304 absolves juveniles of sexual offenses and specifies that they may be paid for their services in prostitution, masturbation for hire and pornography. S.B. 304 classifies juvenile sex workers as victims, for the express purpose of making them eligible for victim compensation. The components of S.B. 304 listed in this paragraph have already been added to H.B. 571 in the following language:

Page 6, lines 170 – 174: “For purposes of this Code section, a conviction for a misdemeanor shall not be considered a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor, and conduct which is adjudicated in juvenile court shall not be considered a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor.”

Page 7, lines 215 – 217 further the idea that minors involved in sexual offenses are victims, i.e., making them eligible for victim compensation funds.

Page 16, line 550 defines a minor as a person under age 18.
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ACTION – Oppose. PLEASE take time to call the following over the weekend, if possible, and again on Monday morning. If one of them is your senator, be sure to call at home and at the Capitol Monday morning, as well.
Call Judiciary Committee Senators Harp, 463-3931, Ch.; Hamrick, 656-0036; Adelman, 463-1376; Brown, 656-5035; Cowsert, 651-7738; Crosby, 463-5258; Fort, 656-5091; Judson Hill, 656-0150; Ramsey, 463-2598; Seabaugh, 656-6446; Smith, 404 656-0034; and Wiles 657-0406.
Don’t forget to call: Ex-officio Members Chance, 463-1366, and Unterman, 463-1368.