House supports changes in sex crime laws

House lawmakers advanced three bills that adjust various aspects of Vermont’s laws concerning sex offenses.

One bill, H.74, would establish a misdemeanor crime of lewd conduct, which would carry a penalty of up to a year in prison and a $300 fine on the first offense.

Rep. Chip Conquest, D-Wells River, encouraged fellow lawmakers to think of the measure as a “replacement law.” Currently, when a felony charge of lewd and lascivious conduct is pleaded down, the lesser charge often does not reflect the sexual nature of the crime, he said. The measure fills that void, he said.

The House gave the bill preliminary approval on a voice vote, though there was some opposition.

Read more: https://vtdigger.org/2017/02/16/house-supports-changes-in-sex-crime-laws/