Wednesday, February 14, 2001
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Wednesday, February 14, 2001 |
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Hecht bills moving through the process By DAVE
HAMRICK
State Sen. Greg Hecht's bill aimed at stiffer penalties for pimps who take advantage of children has cleared a Senate Judiciary subcommittee. Hecht, a Democrat, represents north Fayette and parts of three other counties. Senate Bill 34 would make it a felony to entire or coerce anyone under 18 into prostitution, and a subcommittee amendment would require a minimum five-year or maximum 20-year sentence for those convicted. Previously, the crime has been a misdemeanor. SB 34 also provides for forfeiture of a home or vehicle used for child pimping. "There are individuals now who are making children as young as 10 and 11 years old into prostitutes and ruining their lives," said Hecht. "Many of these children, who had been homeless previously, become drug addicts and attempt suicide. The plight of these vulnerable young children is awful. "This is not a victimless crime," he added. "We need to put these pimps in prison, take their cars, and provide better life opportunities for these young children who have little means available and often no home in which to live." The bill also increases penalties for escape from jail. "Our sheriffs of Georgia explained to me that many drug dealers were considering the misdemeanor penalty of escape from jail to be a cost of doing business," Hecht said. "Next, we need to work on better opportunities and programs for wayward children without homes," Hecht said. A more recent Hecht bill, providing for tax exempt savings accounts for targeted purposes, is in the Public Finance and Utilities Committee, he said. If the bill passes, you'll be able to open an "individual development account," drawing tax-free interest, to be used for post-secondary education or job training, buying a primary residence, major repairs for a primary residence or to capitalize or use as working capital for a small business. Deposits of up to $1,200 a year could be matched by your employer or a bank or credit union, up to $2,000 a year, with the employer receiving a 50 percent tax credit. "It's a bipartisan effort," said Hecht, adding that the bill has been introduced in the state house by Rep. Charles Scheid of Woodstock, a Republican. The bill will help employers provide an additional incentive to hang onto their workers, Hecht said. "This is a great incentive to stay at a business," he said. Participants are required to get financial counseling. Another Hecht bill, calling for creation of a study committee to find out why gas prices have been soaring, has been passed out of the Finance and Public Utilities Committee with a favorable recommendation, and is now being considered by the Rules Committee, he said. "I hope it will make it to the floor this week," he said. Hecht represents portions of Clayton, Douglas, Fayette and Fulton counties. He chairs the Corrections Committee, is vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee, is chairman of an Appropriations subcommittee, and serves as a member of the Insurance and Labor Committee.
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