Bill Description

AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; establishing the criminal offense of grooming of a minor for a sexual offense; specifying penalties; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Notes

HB009 Establishes the grooming of minors for sexual offense as a criminal act.  The bill defines "Grooming" as behavior that seeks to prepare, induce or persuade a minor to engage in sexual conduct or exploitation, even if no meeting or sexual conduct is completed.

It also includes deliberate acts that establish an emotional connection with a minor through manipulation, trust‑building or influence to facilitate acts of sexual conduct, sexual abuse or exploitation. This includes online or in‑person activities, the use of third parties or indirect methods to facilitate the manipulation of a minor.