'Jessica's law' wins Senate approval, heads to guv's desk

'Jessica's law' wins Senate approval, heads to guv's desk


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Senate unanimously approved a bill that would increase prison sentences for convicted child molesters.

People convicted of rape or sodomy of a child would get 25 years to life. House Bill 256, approved Thursday, is nicknamed

"Jessica's Law," for a Florida girl who was attacked by a convicted sex offender who lived in her neighborhood.

After Jessica Lunsford was killed in 2005, Florida set a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to life for certain sex offenses against children. Many states have followed Florida's lead.

Gov. Jon Huntsman has said he will sign the Utah bill into law.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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