The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee unanimously approved HB228, which would allow prosecutors to charge a person who murders someone 13 years old and younger with a capital felony. Currently, the murder of a child without aggravating circumstances — such as sexual assault — is a first degree felony, which carries a penalty of five years to life in prison.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, said that even with the added costs to the justice system because of a capital crime, it is a tool that is needed to protect the most vulnerable members of society. Twenty other states currently have the death penalty as an option in the murder of a child.
"This is important for a state that cherishes our families and our children," he said.