House Bill 3776/Senate Bill 3245 unanimously through the full Senate on Tuesday to allow seizing the assets of sexual offenders who target children as their victims.
Sen. Tim Burchett (R-Knoxville) stated, “Sex offenders use the Internet to lure innocent children into their lairs by showing off impressive things they own. Under this law, sex offenders will risk losing homes, cars, boats, planes, and whatever else they use in the commission of their crimes.
“We want to use the money brought in from the sale of these seized assets to help child advocacy groups that are currently under-funded across the state.”
Two Senate amendments to the House Bill earmark the funding with 50% going to Child Advocacy Centers across the state, 25% to the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program, and 25% for Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee. It now goes back to the House for concurrence on Senate amendments.
The bill would authorize seizure of vehicles or real property used in the commission of sexual offenses against minors. Additionally, the bill will allow homes, vehicles, aircraft, or vessels to be seized from those who commit other sexual offenses.
According to the bill summary, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Statistics for 2004 states there were 4,007 incidents of sex offenses against minors.
The measure is projected to bring in over $4 million annually.
HB3776 or SB3245 may be tracked online at http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/ .