BILL TARGETS THOSE MAKING METH NEAR KIDS

Measure Clears House Committee Despite Objection

FRANKFORT, Ky. - A bill making it a crime to expose children to the
manufacture of methamphetamine cleared a House committee yesterday despite
objections that it contains a potential death sentence.

"I do not like expansion of the death penalty," said Rep. Robin Webb,
D-Grayson.

Senate Bill 163, which already has passed the Senate, gained approval in
the House Judiciary Committee 11-3. Webb did not vote on the measure.

The Senate bill would make it a felony to manufacture methamphetamine
around children or expose them to the toxic chemicals used to produce the
illegal drug. It contains a possible death sentence if a child is killed,
such as in a fire or explosion.

The sponsor, Sen. Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, and other supporters said
the bill is needed to give police and prosecutors another tool against the
growing number of adults who manufacture methamphetamine around children.
"Our concern is for protecting children," he said.

The bill now goes to the House floor.

Manufacturing methamphetamine, a highly synthetic stimulant, now carries a
penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and adults who expose children to it
could be prosecuted for abuse or neglect.

The bill sets up a range of penalties -- one to five years in prison if the
child is exposed but isn't injured; five to 10 years if the child is
injured; 10 to 20 years if there is a serious physical injury; and life in
prison or execution if the exposed child dies.

According to the Kentucky State Police, 498 meth labs were seized in the
state last year, generally in homes but also in vehicles, motel rooms,
garages and sheds. The number of labs seized was up from 376 in 2002 and
170 in 2001.

In a related action, the House passed a separate bill 96-0 yesterday that
would create the crime of trafficking in a methamphetamine "precursor," a
term for any of the chemicals used in making the drug.

House Bill 25, calls for punishment of one to five years in prison for a
first offense and five to 10 years for subsequent offenses.

Methamphetamine is cheap to make but involves the use of flammable and
explosive chemicals.

A key ingredient is anhydrous ammonia, a caustic chemical fertilizer
commonly found in rural areas.

Exposure to some of the chemicals used to make meth can cause headaches,
nausea, respiratory problems, chemical burns and death, according to the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

SENATE BILL 163

Sponsor: Sen. Robert Stivers, R-Manchester (robert.stivers@lrc.state.ky.us)