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politics1d ago
Proposal to raise Alaska’s age of consent from 16 to 18 caught up in disagreement on crime package
- Alaska lawmakers are weighing a bill to raise the age of consent from 16 to 18.
- The bill includes a close-in-age exemption to limit penalties for teens in relationships with older youths.
- Advocates argue the change would help police and prosecutors protect teen victims.
- Supporters argue the change is a key step to reduce sexual assault rates in Alaska.
- The bill has bipartisan co-sponsorship and could advance as a standalone measure or part of a crime package.
- Senate leadership is considering including the proposal in an omnibus crime bill.
- Cost estimates for implementing the change vary across state agencies.
- The bill would be debated as Alaska seeks to address a high rate of sexual assault.
- The House previously passed the bill last session, but it stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee this session.
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