Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §8, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1999, c. 438, §1, is further amended to read:

1. It is a defense that prosecution was commenced after the expiration of the applicable period of limitations provided in this section; provided that a prosecution for terroristic murder, murder or criminal homicide in the first or 2nd degree, or, if the victim had not attained the age of 16 years at the time of the crime, a prosecution for: incest; unlawful sexual contact; sexual abuse of a minor; rape or gross sexual assault, formerly denominated as gross sexual misconduct, may be commenced at any time.

Sec. 2. 17-A MRSA §8, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 438, §2, is further amended to read:

2. Prosecutions for crimes other than terroristic murder, murder or criminal homicide in the first or 2nd degree, or, if the victim had not attained the age of 16 years at the time of the crime, prosecutions for: incest; unlawful sexual contact; sexual abuse of a minor; rape or gross sexual assault, formerly denominated as gross sexual misconduct, are subject to the following periods of limitations:

A. A prosecution for a Class A, Class B or Class C crime must be commenced within 6 years after it is committed; and

B. A prosecution for a Class D or Class E crime must be commenced within 3 years after it is committed.

Sec. 3. 17-A MRSA §8, sub-§3, ķA, as amended by PL 1987, c. 222, §3, is further amended to read:

A. During any time when the accused is absent from the State, but in no event shall may this provision extend the period of limitation otherwise applicable by more than 5 years, except as to any crime in chapter 44, other than section 1073, for which the period may be extended by no more than 10 years;

Sec. 4. 17-A MRSA §152-A, sub-§1, ķA-1 is enacted to read:

A-1.__The person's intent to kill was accompanied by terroristic intent as defined in section 1071, subsection 10;

Sec. 5. 17-A MRSA §803, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1975, c. 499, §1, is amended to read: