Bill To Toughen Child Porn Penalties Advances [AUDIO]

The State Senate has approved a series of tough new deterrents in the fight against child pornography.

"From 2011 to 2012 we have seen double the amount of child porn images on the internet," State Senator and bill sponsor, Kevin O'Toole says.

He believes New Jersey must toughen child porn penalties.

One part of his bill upgrades the crime to first degree for anyone causing a child to engage in child porn. also, he says those found guilty would face tougher consequences.

"A mandatory minimum of five years in jail if you are distributing."

O'Toole says the legislation also raises the coverage age for those kids who are 16 up to the age of 18, which mirrors the Federal law. Beyond that, O'Toole says we have certain individuals whose records are expunged after being found guilty. This will invalidate those applications for expungement.

O'Toole says his bill upgrades causing or engaging in child porn to the, "No Early Release Act." Those found guilty would have to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.

He says he looks forward to Assembly action in the next few weeks.