House Bill No. 5429 proposes to amend the existing law regarding the enticement of juveniles to commit criminal acts by lowering the minimum age of the offender from 23 years to 21 years. This change allows individuals aged 21 and 22 to be charged with the crime of enticing a juvenile, which involves knowingly causing, encouraging, soliciting, recruiting, intimidating, or coercing a person under 18 years of age to participate in a criminal act. The bill maintains the classification of the offense as a class A misdemeanor for a first violation and a class D felony for any subsequent offenses.

The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2026, and it aims to address the issue of juvenile enticement more effectively by expanding the age range of potential offenders. The penalties for enticing a juvenile include up to 364 days in prison and fines for misdemeanors, and up to five years in prison and higher fines for felonies. The proposed changes are expected to have a minimal fiscal impact on the state, with potential costs associated with incarceration or probation and a possible revenue gain from fines collected.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
JUD Joint Favorable:
File No. 518: