California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law one of the nation’s toughest child predator bills aptly named after teenager Chelsea King who captured the country’s attention when her life was cut short by a repeat child predator.
“My single greatest priority as governor is to protect the safety and well being of all Californians,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “When a terrible tragedy like what happened to Chelsea King and Amber Dubois occurs, we have to review the laws in place and see where improvements or changes can be made to make our state safer and make it tougher on the predators who want to create victims out of innocent Californians. I am proud to sign these bills today that will do just that.”
The ceremonial bill signing got off to a rainy start at San Diego’s Balboa Park. Gov. Schwarzenegger was joined by Chelsea’s parents, Brent and Kelly King, and the bill’s author, State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego), San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, Assembly Speaker John Perez, (D-Los Angeles), and Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, (R-Murrieta). Amber Dubois’ mother was also in attendance showing her support for the newly-minted sexual predator law.
Assembly Bill 1844, also known as Chelsea’s Law, requires a life sentence without the possibility of parole for forcible sex acts against children. It will also strengthen sex offense parole guidelines and entail lifelong GPS tracking for some sex offenders. The law will set tough parole guidelines for officers to follow in an effort to prevent another tragedy.
The Chelsea’s law legislation was approved unanimously by the state Senate and Assembly in record time. All the lawmakers in attendance spoke repeatedly about the bipartisanship of this bill and expressed hope they could work together on other issues because of Chelsea’s law.
King was raped and murdered near her home in Poway at Rancho Bernardo Park, where she often went for an afternoon jog, on Feb. 25. Her killer was registered sex offender John Albert Gardner, who buried the 17-year-old in a shallow grave along the shore of Lake Hodges inside the park.
Two time murderer, Gardner brokered a plea deal and was sentenced to two life terms without the possibility of parole for killing and sexually assaulting King and also for abducting, raping and stabbing 14-year-old Amber Dubois of Escondido the previous year.
“Because of Chelsea, everyone has joined together to solve this serious problem in our state,’’ Schwarzenegger somberly said. “Because of Chelsea, California’s children will be safer. Because of Chelsea, this never has to happen again.”
Fletcher, the author, said Chelsea’s Law — which became law immediately — puts the state of California at the forefront when dealing with violent sex offenders.
“We are about to see signed into law a sweeping piece of legislation that will better protect our children, who are the most vulnerable, the most innocent, the most precious,” Fletcher said. “Today is a very good day for them.”