Sex-offender bill gains approval from Senate

? Despite some misgivings about future costs, a bill mandating tougher penalties for sex offenders, especially those victimizing children, sailed through the Senate and awaits a warm reception in the House.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said she was happy with Friday’s 35-4 vote on an issue that’s a priority for her this session, along with most legislators and Atty. Gen. Phill Kline.

Senators had estimates that the increased penalties would generate the need for an additional 1,000 prison beds by 2016. Most dissent centered on the lack of plans for paying for extra prison space.

“I’m not soft on people who perpetrate these types of crimes,” said Sen. Roger Reitz, R-Manhattan, adding that he voted against the bill because it didn’t provide money to pay the cost of additional space.

Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, who also voted against the bill, said: “We can’t afford this measure.”

The question of future costs didn’t stop Sebelius from praising Senate passage at the end of the session’s third week – which is considered moving on the legislative fast track.

“Tougher sentences and making sure we monitor people once they are released is really what I hope we do,” she said.

House Speaker Doug Mays said he expected his chamber to move soon to pass either the Senate or a House version of the proposal.