(Anchorage) – Three bills, dealing with crime and sponsored by Representative Bob Lynn (R-Anchorage) were signed into law today by Governor Frank Murkowski.

HB 41 addresses assault on school grounds, a school bus, or at a school sponsored event. Representative Lynn’s legislation adds a 60-day minimum sentence to fourth degree assaults on persons in a school setting.

"This bill sends a powerful message that violence will not be tolerated – especially when it pertains to school grounds and school functions. We must provide for the safety of school employees and teachers, as well as safety for children. This will is a giant step in that direction," said Representative Lynn.

The second bill, HB 258, makes sexual assault by persons who have been diagnosed with or tested positive for HIV or AIDS an aggravating factor at sentencing.

Representative Lynn said of HB 258, "Sexual assault, of any kind, is painful enough. But the possibility of HIV transmission – with six months or more of terror that testing may reveal a life-threatening infection – makes rape even more horrible. This bill will help put the scum convicted of such crimes behind bars for a long, long time. And I am in favor of that."

HB 343 makes it a class A misdemeanor to throw human or animal bodily fluids at another person, making it a crime of harassment in the first degree.

"HB 343 provides a minimum of 60 days in jail for anyone convicted of throwing bodily fluids at correctional officers, law enforcement officers, and first responders. God bless our public safety people. They dedicate their lives to protecting us and our loved ones. With the Governor's signature on this bill, we are taking a major step in helping to protect those who protect us," said Representative Lynn.

Each of the bills takes effect in 90 days.

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