Yesterday, Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-“Rock Star”-San Diego) introduced “Chelsea’s Law” – targeted legislation that would provide a new one-strike life without parole penalty for those sexually violent predators who commit the most heinous of violent sex crimes against a child. The law includes lifetime parole with active GPS monitoring for those convicted of felony sex crimes involving physical contact with children and “safe zones” where sex offenders may not go.
Fletcher calls the legislation “a first step in a long term commitment to better protect our children…focused on the worst of the worst, the most dangerous and most likely to re-offend…the ones likely to pose the greatest risk to our children.”
Fletcher’s law, AB 1844, is a disciplined legislative proposal named for 17-year old Poway High School student Chelsea King, who disappeared on March 25th after going for a run in a local park. Law enforcement and thousands of volunteers searched for days until they finally found her in a shallow grave at Lake Hodges – a victim of unspeakable terror having been raped and murdered.
Chelsea King had a compassionate heart and a positive spirit. She helped disabled youth, was a peer counselor at her school, and was known for her acts of kindness to others. Her spirit and beauty will always be remembered – not just in San Diego – but across the country as national media has covered her brutal murder and potential changes to California state law.
The sexual offender who is believed to have hurt Chelsea King was released from prison after committing other such crimes in 2000. He had seven parole violations. If Chelsea’s Law had been on the books when the offender was convicted previously, he probably would have been sent to prison for life and if he had been released, he would have been subject to lifetime parole and GPS monitoring.
Chelsea King’s parents have worked closely with Assemblyman Fletcher in crafting the law stating “we don’t ever want another family to have to go through our pain”. Kelly and Brent King weren’t activists or advocates before and had never done a press interview. They hope to honor their daughter by helping their son (her “best friend) to heal, putting one foot in front of the other, and doing something to help other parents so they never have to go through the pain they are feeling. See their interview on the Today Show here.
On Tuesday, Assembly Speaker John Perez signed on to co-sponsor the legislation. The entire San Diego delegation – Democrats and Republicans – also appeared with Fletcher when the legislation was unveiled this week.
The Chelsea’s Light Foundation has done an amazing job of supporting the legislation through Facebook.
I don’t think I’ve seen a legislative effort supported by new media this way before. It includes endorsements of the legislation, like the Peace Officers Research Association of California and the California State Sheriff’s Association, a master list of legislative co-sponsors and a “wall” where you can post your personal note of gratitude to legislative sponsors. You can see how the law moves through the legislative process here, which for those not as versed in the process is a great way to keep people updated on how this bill becomes a law.
Fletcher who believes public safety is the most basic thing government can provide its citizens is a combat veteran of the Iraq War and the Chief Republican Whip in the State Assembly. He has more bipartisan bills passed than any Republican in the legislature – and he’s only in his first term.
Leaders like Nathan Fletcher will make California a better place. Our prayers and warm thoughts go to the King family for standing strong as they enter one of the most dynamic weeks of their lives – a week they didn’t anticipate – but one which may change California’s laws for the better.