by Jolene Toves

Guam - The 32nd Guam Legislature gathered this morning to address several bills up for public hearing. The bills focused on the protection of victims of violent acts.

First up was Bill 6, also known as the Predator Prevention Act, which aims at stiffening penalties for crimes involving criminal sexual conduct holding the sexual predator and offenders accountable. The measure was introduced by Senators Brant McCreadie and Dennis Rodriguez, Jr.

Testifying was the sister of a victim of sexual violence, Shanan Micario, who said, "I don't know how long it will take for us to recover, but fifteen years is not enough believe that repeat offenders should suffer harsher sentences because they were already given the opportunity to change."

Also supporting the intent of the bill is the Office of Attorney General Leonardo Rapadas, with Phil Tydingco speaking speaking on his behalf. "Most especially, we like the feature of this bill, which is the main feature which is sort of a second strike-type language that is in there if there is a subsequent offender, which our current statute does not have, of course. The penalty would be much higher and would be sentence to life without possibility of parole." Although the AG's Office is in support of the measure is concerned with references within the bill that could affect their appeals at this time.

Guam Police Department community affairs Lieutenant Arthur Paulino on behalf of Chief Fred Bordallo also offered testimony in support of the bill, but questioned whether the Department of Corrections would be able to accommodate an increased population with the addition of more perpetrators serving lifetime sentences.

Also up for a public hearing was Bill 10, introduced by Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz, which created the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act. In support of the measure, GPD's Arthur Paulino quoted Chief Bordallo in saying, "We all know too well that when a child is kidnapped time is the enemy and we need every available resource to bring that child home statistics show that the first few hours are critical for the outcome of the case. The Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act will greatly enhance the collective response time by law enforcement and the community at large with time interventions to save lives abductions are incredibly damaging and can haut a child for the rest of their life."

GPD and the AG's Office raised questions on how to handle the alleged abductions involving parents requesting further discussion on the matter.

Also up for a hearing - Senator Frank Aguon, Jr.'s Bill 41, which strengthens the penalties for crimes of family violence. Analyzing the proposed legislation was Family Violence Court coordinator Attorney Siri Wilson, who said, "The Family Violence Court neither opposes nor supports mandatory sentences for defendants convicted of family violence cases the court will not lobby for a position but exists as a neutral body dedicated to interpreting and implementing the law." Wilson added that the Family Violence Court has concerns about the proposed legislation as it is currently drafted, raising concerns about how the mandatory sentencing will interact with the deferred plea agreement.

In addition to these bills focused on violent acts, Bill 43 related to strengthening penalties for people caught possessing, manufacturing, selling or distribution Spice.