SB1948 Amendment Summary

• Amends the Criminal Code to be titled "Chelsea's Law" and modifies first-degree murder statutes and sentencing provisions.

• Expands the definition of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child to include victims under 14 years of age (instead of 13) and establishes natural life imprisonment for offenses against children under 10 years old.

• Adds "criminal sexual abuse" and "aggravated criminal sexual abuse" to the list of inherently violent crimes that qualify as aggravating factors for death penalty eligibility.

• Establishes natural life imprisonment as a sentencing option for first-degree murder when the victim is a physician, physician assistant, psychologist, nurse, or advanced practice nurse killed in the course of their professional duties.

• Consolidates and simplifies sentencing provisions for predatory criminal sexual assault convictions, including mandatory natural life imprisonment for repeat offenders or those with prior similar convictions.