This bill amends various sections of Alaska's criminal and civil laws to enhance protections for minors and victims of sexual abuse by raising the age of a minor from 16 to 18 in statutes related to sexual offenses, including sexual abuse, enticement, and indecent exposure. Victims of sexual abuse as minors can now pursue civil claims against their perpetrators until they reach 18 years of age. The bill also increases the severity of penalties for crimes such as murder and assault when the victim is under 18, ensuring that offenders face harsher consequences for targeting minors. Additionally, it introduces provisions for the testimony of children in criminal proceedings, allowing for the appointment of a guardian ad litem and the use of closed-circuit television.

Further amendments focus on sentencing guidelines for serious offenses involving children, establishing a minimum sentence of 20 years for second-degree murder involving a child under 18, and modifying presumptive sentencing ranges for class B felonies when the victim is a child. The bill also clarifies lifetime registration requirements for sex offenders and child kidnappers, ensuring that these duties continue for those convicted of aggravated sex offenses or multiple offenses. The definition of "sex offense" is expanded to include crimes against minors, and certain existing statutes related to sex offenses are repealed, with the new provisions applying to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen legal protections for minors and enhance accountability for offenders.

Statutes affected:
HB0101A, AM HB 101, introduced 02/12/2025: 09.55.650, 11.41.100, 11.41.410, 11.41.470, 11.46.475, 11.56.807, 11.41.110, 11.71.010, 11.71.021, 11.71.030, 11.71.040, 11.41.220, 11.81.900, 11.41.230, 11.41.170, 11.41.200, 11.41.280, 11.41.282, 11.41.260, 11.41.270, 11.41.420, 11.41.425, 18.65.850, 18.65.870, 18.66.100, 18.66.180, 25.35.010, 25.35.020, 11.56.740, 11.41.250, 11.41.300, 11.41.460, 11.56.810, 11.61.118, 11.61.120, 11.41.434, 11.41.436, 11.41.455, 11.41.438, 11.41.452, 11.41.458, 11.51.100, 11.61.116, 11.61.124, 11.61.123, 11.61.128, 12.45.046, 12.55.125, 11.41.150, 11.41.530, 12.55.155, 12.55.175, 12.55.085, 12.55.086, 11.41.130, 12.55.145, 12.55.135, 11.61.140, 11.16.110, 11.46.400, 11.71.900, 47.07.063, 18.15.310, 18.07.111, 12.63.020, 12.63.010, 12.63.100, 11.41.440, 11.41.450, 26.05.900, 11.61.125, 11.66.130, 11.15.120, 11.15.134, 11.15.160, 11.40.110, 11.40.200, 11.66.100, 26.05.890, 26.05.893, 11.66.137, 11.61.130, 11.66.110, 11.66.120, 26.05.935, U.S.C