(JUNEAU) - The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 2 by a vote of 37 to zero today. Sponsored by Rep. Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), HB 2 adds Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor, a class B felony, to the list of sexual assault crimes that have no civil statute of limitations.

In 2001, the Twenty-second Legislature passed a bill that eliminated the civil statute of limitations on felony sexual abuse of a minor and felony sexual assault. However, an amendment was made that did not define which crimes were to be included.

"House Bill 2 clarifies which felonies have no statute of limitations, and adds one an additional class B felony, Unlawful Exploitation of Minor," Meyer said.

HB 2 also establishes a three-year civil statute of limitations for misdemeanor sexual assault, misdemeanor sexual abuse of a minor, incest, and felony indecent exposure.

"The statute of limitations dropped to two years when other changes were made to this law a few years ago," Meyer said. "This changes it back to three years for sexual misdemeanors as well as felony indecent exposure."

HB 2 moves to the Senate.

# # #