Halpin Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Child Sex Offenders

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – In an effort to ensure justice for victims of child sex crimes, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, has introduced legislation that will eliminate the statute of limitations on various child sex crimes such as child pornography and attempted solicitation of a child.

“As a father, I take crimes against children very seriously, and I do not believe that a survivor should be denied justice because someone thinks too much time has passed,” Halpin said. “I support removing the statute of limitations on child sex crimes because these survivors deserve to have their day in court.”

House Bill 744 would remove the statute of limitations on crimes involving child pornography, soliciting a child via the internet and revenge pornography. Currently, these crimes only allow charges to be brought within three years of the offense. In the wake of the discovery of former United States House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s crimes against his students and his ability to evade his crimes, Halpin wants to assure that these predators face the punishment they deserve.

“Every day that we fail to take action is another day a child sex predator goes without having to answer for their crimes,” Halpin said. “Survivors of sexual assault must deal with the repercussions of it for the rest of their life. We should hold predators accountable for the rest of theirs.”

For more information, please contact Halpin’s full-time constituent service office at 309-558-3612 or at rephalpin@gmail.com.