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Bigamy, Integrity, Identity debated in senate committee

While I was busy elswhere on Tuesday, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee approved a number of bills worth mentioning at their weekly meeting (see video of the hearing here):Polygamist Roundup Fallout: Enabling Bigamy ProsecutionsNo testimony at all, for or against, accompanied Sen. Jane Nelson's legislation SB 787 extending the statute of limitations for bigamy from 3-7 years, and 10 years after the 18th birthday if one of the partners is a minor. Sen. Nelson particularly cited the Great Eldorado Polygamist Roundup as spurring her desire to change the law. She said she was concerned about "minors forced into polygamous situations," but of course the bigger issue arises with minors of legal marrying age who choose those relationships. They have broken the law, yes, but how long should those involved be criminally liable? Why does the statute of limitations on this crime, in particular, deserve extending beyond other offenses?This legislation seems premature to me - a half-cocked, git-tuff response to a lingering social conflict between church and state...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on April 09, 2009 (boomark / email).