CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly supported a proposal to strengthen the state’s laws against child sex offenders.

The 307-17 vote applies to a package of legislation that covers sentencing, registration on the state’s sex offender list and monitoring offenders once they leave prison.

As originally proposed by the governor, it would have allowed prosecutors to seek a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison for any adult who sexually assaults a child under age 13. Current law requires a sentence of 10-20 years.

But the House went with the recommendation of its Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and removed the mandatory minimum sentence. Instead, it would be up to a judge to sentence a first-time offender.

Attorney General Kelly Ayotte and Gov. John Lynch opposed dropping the minimum sentence. Lynch said he would work with the Senate to restore the tougher penalties.

“Short prison sentences do not sufficiently protect children,” said Wolfeboro Rep. Stanley Stevens, a Republican, who was unsuccessful in getting the House to restore the mandatory minimum.

“Stick with the committee; we really studied this and we don’t want mandatory sentences,” Rep. Bill Knowles, D-Dover, urged the House.

Other lawmakers urged caution, saying less serious offenders might get stuck with the long mandatory sentences.

“We are after the pathological cases and trying to keep them from hurting children and the rest of the society,” said Bedford Republican Rep. Ed Moran. “Let’s be careful.”

The bill does require life imprisonment for a second offense. The tougher sentencing rules also apply to adults who physically assault children, causing brain damage or other disabilities.

The House version removed another provision from the original bill, prohibiting sex offenders from living near schools, day-care centers and parks. This has proved problematic in other states. Police report they lose track of potentially dangerous sex offenders who can’t find legal places to stay in urban areas dotted with schools and parks. Some fear this pushes sex offenders into rural areas.

The bill includes more stringent requirements for sex offenders to register and adds new penalties if they fail to follow the rules.

It also directs the prison system to investigate electronic anklets to monitor sex offenders upon release.

“We must make sure we are doing everything possible to protect New Hampshire’s children,” Lynch said in a statement.