Md. act would make it tougher on repeat sex offenders, Gov. says

Lawmakers are hard at work in Annapolis as the 437th General Assembly draws closer to the end.

Along with several other pieces of legislation, the Hogan administration is also eyeing the Repeat Sexual Predator Prevention Act.

The measure was modeled after legislation put forward by Democratic Senator James Brochin of District 42 in the last session.

If passed, it would allow courts to admit evidence of a defendant's prior history of sexual assault convictions if they are on trial for sexual offenses.

According to Governor Larry Hogan, data shows many sexual predators follow patterns of behavior. He says this proposal will ensure prosecutors have the tools needed for justice.

"Defense attorneys say…'well, you shouldn't be able to talk about anything other than this' but it enabled terrible, repeat sexual offenders to continue to go out and commit these crimes again because you couldn't talk about it," he says. "The bill would amend the law to make it tougher on repeat sexual offenders."

The act is a part of the Justice for Victim's initiative, which includes of a series of proposals aimed to prevent future victims of crime.