By Jim Sanders
Known as "Chelsea's Law," legislation to crack down on child sexual predators was unanimously approved today by the Assembly.
The legislation stemmed from the case of John Albert Gardner III, who was arrested for the murders of Chelsea King, 17, of Poway, and of Amber Dubois, 14, of Escondido.
The measure, Assembly Bill 1844, passed the lower house by a vote of 65-0. It now goes to the Senate, and if it is approved there, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to sign it.
AB 1844 would require that offenders who inflict bodily harm on a child under 14 while committing rape, sodomy, continuous sexual abuse or similar heinous sex crimes receive sentences of life without parole.
The bill would increase prison sentences for committing other forcible sex crimes against minors, with terms varying depending on the age of the victim. In many cases, offenders would be subject to double the terms in current law.
The bill also would make it a misdemeanor for a felony sex offender to loiter in parks where children congregate.
Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, a San Diego Republican, introduced the bill and said of it in a written statement:
"Current California law does not acknowledge or adjust for the true nature of the sexual violent predator that attacks children. Chelsea's law isolates this uniquely dangerous predator and takes disciplined steps to keep them away from our communities."
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