Senate Bill No. SLS 25RS-322 proposes the creation of the crime of child grooming, which is defined as any action taken to persuade, induce, entice, seduce, or coerce a child under the age of thirteen to engage in conduct intended to facilitate the offender committing a lewd or lascivious act upon the child or in the presence of another child. The bill outlines that in prosecutions for child grooming, the finder of fact must consider various circumstances, such as whether the offender's actions were conducted without the knowledge or consent of a parent or guardian, involved isolating the child, or included discussions of a sexual nature. The penalties for committing this crime include imprisonment for up to fifteen years, with or without hard labor.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law to include child grooming as a sexual offense against a victim who is a minor, thereby expanding the definitions of sexual offenses in Louisiana. The amendments also clarify that any conviction for an equivalent offense in another jurisdiction will be recognized under this law. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
SB58 Original: 15:541(24)
SB58 Engrossed: 15:541(24)
SB58 Reengrossed: 15:541(25)
Senate Floor Bureau Note, #1594, Connick, Adopted: 15:541(25)