October 23, 2003 -- Monica Balderrama, KFOX News at Nine.

Some say it's long overdue. Now Governor Richardson wants to toughen up laws for sex offenders and sex crimes. This creates hope for not only victims and their families but the community.

Felipe Luna-Vado, "In New Mexico there's weak laws when it comes to sex offenders."

The abuse of children in Dona Ana County is now on the forefront and the public is seeing it with high profile cases like Brianna Lopez and Katie Sepich.

Leandro Uribe- Chaparral, "The college students are in danger constantly and they need to get tougher."

It was back in August that investigators found Katie Sepich's body. She was at a party only three blocks away from her house, when Sheriff's deputies say someone kidnapped her, sexually assaulted her then murdered her.

Brianna Lopez only lived to be five months old. Family members cut her life short, beating and sexually assaulting her.

Kristina Bosquez El Paso, "There's other people that commit other crimes, like robberies and they get more time than what sex offenders get. And the sex offenders are killing kids."

That may change now that New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is calling a special legislative session set to begin Monday. He wants to make sure lawmakers really consider this problem.

Susana Martinez-Las Cruces District Attorney, "It's disappointing that Legislature did not see it fit to increase the penalties when parents or guardians kill their children."

Governor Bill Richardson- (D) New Mexico, "We must take a more aggressive proactive approach to protecting New Mexicans from sex offenders."

Here are some of the proposals in the governor's package:

Three years mandatory minimum sentencing and possible 15 years in prison for criminal sexual penetration in the second degree. Currently there's nothing mandatory and only a 9 year possible sentence.

He wants to pass a new law that extends parole for sex offenders, a new law forcing them to stay on probation longer, increase penalties for kidnapping of a child involving a sexual offense. And create a sex offender board.

John Wheeler- Chief Counsel New Mexico Dept of Public Safety, "This is going to be a group of experts who are going to think about and consider these problems in a way New Mexico has never done before."

And they hope this historic legislation will pass.

Martinez, "We are hopeful the Legislature, they'll see it's a cry of the public and that they will do it quickly."

He's also considering Legislation that would ensure that any person connived of a sex crime against a child could not work for state government.

Another change would be the creation of a new class of crimes for sex offenses against a child.

Richardson says if the legislation passes it would require more funds for more parole officers and treatment for sex offenders, but he's willing to put up the money.