Could a bill meant to protect kids end up hurting them?

Some Kentucky lawmakers have concerns about a bill that includes tougher penalties for people who sexually abuse children.

Despite the concerns, a House committee said yes to the bill today.

Kentucky Edition's Jun Leffler has more.

As we began tonight's Legacy Live update.

Bill sponsor Representative Matt Lockett says he has no tolerance for sex offenders.

We absolutely mean business.

House Bill 278 would increase penalties for cases of rape, child pornography and human trafficking.

It would also ban schools from ever employing someone convicted of a violent or sex crime.

And it removes the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse.

Current law states that a person has ten years to report that assault.

Therefore, 28 years old would be the latest age that someone could report this abuse or assault.

We also also know that the average age to report childhood sexual assaults or abuse is close to 40 years old, well beyond what our current statute says.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee questioned how this law could be applied to teenagers with pounds.

Often times you might have two minors that are, you know, doing obvious things that this bill would apply to, and it's recorded and maybe put on some sort of social media.

The predominant people that distribute this type of material are not 17 year olds.

And to use their term, sexting each other.

15 year olds are being dumb.

They should be held accountable, but a felony.

And they can never work for the for the school system in their life.

Committee members did sign off on the bill, but say they expect some tweaks before it's heard on the House floor.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm June Leffler.