TWO CHILD-RELATED BILLS ARE PASSED BY THE STATE HOUSE IN SANTA FE TUESDAY NIGHT. ONE IS HOUSE BILL 68. IT’S AMONG THE BILLS INSPIRED BY THE DEATH OF NINE YEAR OLD OMAREE VARELA IN ALBUQUERQUE. THE BOY WAS KICKED TO DEATH, ALLEGEDLY BY HIS MOTHER.
THE MEASURE TACKS ON MORE PRISON TIME FOR PEOPLE WHO INTENTIONALLY HURT OR KILL A CHILD. THE BILL TRIPLES THE SENTENCE FOR ANYONE WHO INJURES A CHILD, AND THOSE CONVICTED OF CHILD ABUSE COULD GET A LIFE SENTENCE.
THE OTHER BILL STIFFENS CHILD PORN LAWS, INCREASING PRISON TIME FOR PEOPLE CAUGHT POSSESSING CHILD PORN.
