The proposed bill seeks to enhance the legal framework for crimes against children by introducing a new offense termed "grooming of a child for a sexual offense." This offense is characterized by a pattern of manipulative behavior aimed at coercing a child into sexual conduct or exploiting a position of authority to foster a secretive relationship with a minor. The bill stipulates severe penalties for offenders, particularly when the victim is under 16 years old, which may include life imprisonment or lengthy prison terms, along with substantial fines. Additionally, it revises existing laws to allow law enforcement officers to pose as children and expands the definition of sexual abuse to include computer-generated child pornography.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate these changes, clarifying that the offense of obscenity applies to individuals believed to be minors, including undercover law enforcement officers. It also emphasizes that consent from a child or a mistaken belief that a child is an adult is not a valid defense in cases of child sex trafficking, which carries a mandatory 100-year prison sentence and significant fines. The legislation outlines the process for psychosexual evaluations and risk level designations for sexual offenders, ensuring appropriate assessment and monitoring based on their risk of reoffending. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_1(1): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_1(2): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_1(3): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_1(4): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_1(5): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_1(6): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_1(7): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_1: 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(1): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(10): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(11): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(12): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(13): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(14): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(2): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(3): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(4): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(5): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(6): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(7): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(8): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2(9): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_2: 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(1): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(10): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(11): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(12): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(13): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(2): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(3): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(4): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(5): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(6): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(7): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(8): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3(9): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_3: 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(1): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(10): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(11): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(12): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(13): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(14): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(15): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(16): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(17): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(2): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(3): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(4): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(5): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(6): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(7): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(8): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X(9): 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509
HB0082_X: 45-5-504, 45-5-601, 45-5-625, 45-5-711, 45-8-201, 46-23-502, 46-23-509