Jessica’s law gets bipartisan support

A first-degree sex offense or first-degree rape conviction would receive a mandatory minimum sentence of 25-years to life with no chance of parole. Those convicted of second-degree sex offense or second-degree rape would receive a sentence of five to 20 years, with no chance of parole. Convictions on third-degree sex offense would receive a sentence of two to 10 years without a chance of parole.

Sen. Nancy Jacobs introduced the bill on Friday. Ten of the bill’s 23 co-sponsors are Democrats, including Sen. Patrick J. Hogan (D-Dist. 39) of Montgomery Village.

‘‘We can spend million of dollars educating our children, but what good is that money if we do not protect them from sexual predators?” Jacobs (R-Dist. 34) of Abingdon said in a statement.

The bill would put Maryland on par with standards set by Florida legislation know as ‘‘Jessica’s Law,” which is named after Jessica Lunsford, who was 9 years old when she was kidnapped, molested and murdered in 2005.

Jessica’s Law was a legislative priority last year for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) and Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. (D) . A watered-down version of the bill, which did not include mandatory sentences, passed during the General Assembly special session in June.