(Juneau) - In the last days of the 24th Legislative Session several human rights and victim protection bills were approved by large margins.

"This package of bills significantly increases the rights and protection for victims in Alaska and demonstrates that this legislature cares deeply about human rights and works on more then taxes and spending," said Sen. Fred Dyson (R - Eagle River).

SB 20, Unborn Child Protection, by Sen. Dyson. This bill establishes that an assault on a pregnant woman that damages or kills her unborn child is a crime with TWO victims, the woman and her child. This legislation is similar to federal law and 32 other state laws. The bill passed the State House 30-9 on May 4th, 2006 with four Democrats joining all Republicans to approve it. Previously, the Senate vote was 14-6 with Senator Donny Olson (D - Nome) and Sen. Lyman Hoffman (D - Bethel) joining the Republican Majority.

SB 54, Restraining Orders for Victims of Sexual Assaults, also by Sen. Dyson. This legislation establishes that rape victims can get restraining orders to keep the alleged perpetrator away from the victim.

SB 12, Human Trafficking, by Sen. Dyson. Alaska now has the strongest laws in the nation to deter international trafficking in women and children for sexual slavery. The bill prohibits the state from purchasing goods or services from companies that are headquartered in the nations that are listed by the U.S. State Department as the worst offenders as participants in human slavery. Governor Frank Murkowski has already issued an executive order that aligns with this new law. Reps. Eric Croft (D - Anchorage) and Beth Kerttula (D - Juneau) worked with Sen. Dyson to include provisions from bills they had sponsored to make human trafficking illegal under Alaska Law and to prohibit advertising of "Sexual Tourism" in Alaska.

SB 218, Sex Offenders/ Sentencing/ Abuse Reports by Sen. Con Bunde (R - Anchorage). The bill increases jail terms for sexual predators and includes increased penalties for mandatory reporters that do not report "Statutory Rape".

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