Convicted child sexual abusers could not earn time off prison sentences for good behavior under a measure proposed by a Harford senator.

Another bill, proposed by a fellow member of Harford’s General Assembly delegation, would require those convicted of possession of child pornography to be registered as child sex offenders.

Republican State Sen. Nancy Jacobs sponsor of the bill that would eliminate early release, said a recent child abuse case demonstrated the need for the legislation.

Richard Marks was charged with trying to drug and sexually assault two children in their Dundalk bedroom in September after he had been freed nine years before the end of a 25-year prison sentence for burglary.

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“The case in Dundalk just drew further attention to the problem of allowing criminals out early for good behavior,” Jacobs said. “He wasn’t put in jail for abusing a child initially, but when he got out of jail, that was the first thing he did.”

A bill backed by Del. Donna Stifler, R, would require those convicted of possession of child pornography to follow the same requirements as other sex offenders for updating addresses and notifying neighbors.

Another Stifler bill would establish a task force to ensure the state complies with federal regulations on registration and tracking of sex offenders. The task force would consist of representatives from the General Assembly, state agencies, police, prosecutors and advocates for women and children.

Stifler said her bills would bring the state in line with requirements of a 2006 federal law. If states did not comply by 2009, some federal funding for law enforcement could be withheld.

“Frankly, time is running out,” Stifler said. “So we want to take steps closer to bring Maryland into compliance.”

Another bill backed by Del. Dan Riley, D, would eliminate a requirement that a person in good legal standing provide “good and substantial reason to wear, carry or transport a handgun ... as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger.”

Riley seeks to revise the permit process so adults in good mental health who have not been convicted of a felony, serious misdemeanor or drug charge could carry a concealed weapon, without having to provide other reasons they would need to be armed.

msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com