'Eryk's Bill' gets unanimous House passage
OLYMPIA -- A measure pushing tougher penalties for child abusers is one step closer to reality.
The State House approved "Eryk's bill" Tuesday afternoon.
The bill is named for Eryk Woodruff, who was nearly beaten to death by his babysitter when he was just 15 months old. The beating left him with several broken bones and severe brain damage.
The boy's babysitter, family friend Matthew Christiansen, confessed to the crime and was sentenced to 10 years.
But the boy's parents, Rachel Pierce and Russell Woodruff, believe Christiansen will be freed in just four years, and want the lawmakers to toughen the state's child abuse laws. The pair also want the state to establish a registry of child abusers, much like the sex offenders' registry.
The bill (HB 2279) lost steam when it wasn't heard before the legislative cutoff. But the Problem Solvers stepped in and got it to the House, where it was approved by a 96-0 vote.
It's now headed to the Senate for approval.
The State House approved "Eryk's bill" Tuesday afternoon.
The bill is named for Eryk Woodruff, who was nearly beaten to death by his babysitter when he was just 15 months old. The beating left him with several broken bones and severe brain damage.
The boy's babysitter, family friend Matthew Christiansen, confessed to the crime and was sentenced to 10 years.
But the boy's parents, Rachel Pierce and Russell Woodruff, believe Christiansen will be freed in just four years, and want the lawmakers to toughen the state's child abuse laws. The pair also want the state to establish a registry of child abusers, much like the sex offenders' registry.
The bill (HB 2279) lost steam when it wasn't heard before the legislative cutoff. But the Problem Solvers stepped in and got it to the House, where it was approved by a 96-0 vote.
It's now headed to the Senate for approval.
