Bill > HB199

This bill proposes to amend Kentucky law to make rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, and sexual abuse in the first degree capital offenses when the victim is under 12 years old. Specifically, the bill modifies existing statutes to change the classification of these sexual offenses against young children from felonies to capital offenses, which means they could potentially result in the death penalty. The bill updates language to be gender-neutral by adding "or she" throughout the existing laws and adds a new aggravating circumstance to the death penalty statute that specifically includes sexual offenses against children under 12 as a factor that could be considered in imposing the death penalty. The changes aim to provide more severe legal consequences for sexual crimes committed against very young children, reflecting a legislative intent to impose the most serious criminal penalties for such heinous acts. The bill also makes conforming amendments to ensure consistency across different sections of Kentucky's criminal statutes related to sexual offenses and capital punishment.

Justice

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/25RS/hb199.html