(JUNEAU) - The Alaska Senate passed House Bill 334, Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor, unanimously today, May 8. Sponsored by Representative Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), HB 334 increases the criminal penalty for Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor and Distribution of Child Pornography from class B felonies to class A felonies for second time offenders of these crimes.

"I am a firm believer that the production of explicit sexual material involving children is sexual abuse, and the distribution of such material perpetuates the abuse." Representative Meyer said.

The crime of Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor is defined as an adult knowingly inducing or employing a minor to participate in explicit sexual activity with the intent of producing photographs, films, slides, books, newspapers, magazines, or other material. Distribution of Child Pornography occurs when a person distributes or possess, with the intent of distributing, material that portrays a minor involved in explicit sexual activity.

Within the past two years, several cases involving Unlawful Exploitation of a Minor and Distribution of Child Pornography have been brought to the public’s attention and have been tried in court. Individuals who are currently serving time for these crimes are serving, on average 1-2 years in prison. This is unsettling to Representative Meyer.

"With a 1 year sentence, the offender could be back in our communities, abusing children and recording the abuse to keep for personal use or to sell to make money off of it," stated Representative Meyer. The increased penalty for second time offenders now means a presumptive term of ten years.

"I believe that the second criminal conviction of these crimes should be elevated to a class A felony and more jail time should be required in order to keep these type of sexual predators in jail and our children safe."

HB 334 now moves to the Governor for consideration and signature.

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