Carnal Reason

Representative F. James Sensenbrenner is currently the sole sponsor of of HR 1528, Defending America’s Most Vulnerable: Safe Access to Drug Treatment and Child Protection Act of 2005.

Here’s the good part:

SEC. 425. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person who witnesses or learns of a violation of sections 416(b)(2), 417, 418, 419, 420, 424, or 426 to fail to report the offense to law enforcement officials within 24 hours of witnessing or learning of the violation and thereafter provide full assistance in the investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of the person violating paragraph (a).

(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be sentenced to not less than two years or more than 10 years. If the person who witnesses or learns of the violation is the parent or guardian, or otherwise responsible for the care or supervision of the person under the age of 18 or the incompetent person, such person shall be sentenced to not less than three years or more than 20 years.

Say you see your neighbor smoking some weed. The neighbor has a child under the age of 21. You would have 24 hours to turn your neighbor in, and be required provide “full assistance” in apprehending and prosecuting him, or you could face two years in prison. There are many similar scenarios described at Downsize DC.

I wonder what Representative Sensenbrenner has been smoking.

Posted on June 2nd, 2005 by pwyll
Filed under: law, politics