Violent Offenders Serving Less Time in Georgia: Early paroles aren't the only perks being enjoyed by many of Georgia's most violent sex offenders and felons; they are also having their sentences pardoned entirely by the parole board.  Erik Avanier of WDEF reports that these pardoned and early paroled criminals are back on the streets before proper notification has been given to the victims and law enforcement.  House Bill 71, or the Parole Board Transparency Act, would force the parole board to be clearer and more forward about the parole and pardon process.

Law Could Add Years to Rape Cases:  Senate Bill 833, a new bill proposed in the state of Illinois, would allow prosecutors to charge an offender of armed robbery, home invasion, and kidnapping up to 10 years after its commission if such crimes were connected to a sex crime.  Phil Kadner of the Chicago Tribune reports that although 1 in 5 women will be raped, only 3 percent of those rapists will serve prison time.  Senate Bill 833 was introduced to remedy the state's troubling statute of limitations loophole.

Bill Would Protect Drug Companies' Identities: In an effort to make more execution drugs available for purchase, a South Carolina bill aims to protect the identities of the pharmaceutical companies that sell them.  Meg Kinnard of the AP reports that South Carolina, among other states, is seeing their supply of lethal injections drugs dwindle and has been forced to resort to alternative execution methods.  Other death penalty states are being challenged by inmates to reveal the identities of their current suppliers, but an execution has yet to be halted despite their refusal.  A Senate subcommittee will discuss the bill today.