Senate Bill 222 introduces a new crime known as "sexual extortion" and establishes penalties for individuals who engage in such conduct. The bill defines sexual extortion as threatening to harm another person's property or reputation, commit violence, or distribute intimate representations to coerce that person into sexual conduct or to provide something of value. Violations of this law are generally classified as a Class I felony, but can escalate to a Class H felony if the victim engages in sexual conduct or suffers great bodily harm as a result of the violation. Additionally, if the perpetrator has a prior conviction for a sexually violent offense or if the victim is a minor and the perpetrator is significantly older, the crime can be classified as a Class G felony. The bill also allows for prosecution for felony murder if the extortion leads to the victim's death.

Furthermore, the bill amends various sections of existing law to incorporate the new crime of sexual extortion and its associated penalties. It also expands eligibility for crime victim compensation to include victims of extortion or sexual extortion who suffer injury or death, including cases where suicide is a result of the crime. The bill includes specific insertions to existing statutes to reflect these changes, such as the addition of section 942.095, which outlines the definitions and penalties related to sexual extortion. Overall, this legislation aims to strengthen legal protections against extortion and provide recourse for victims.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 48.685(1)(c)2, 48.685, 48.686(1)(c)1, 48.686, 51.20(13)(ct)1m.a, 51.20, 51.20(13)(ct)1m.b, 115.31(2g)(c)1, 115.31, 115.31(2r)(c)3, 301.45(1p)(b), 301.45, 901.08(1)(b), 901.08, 938.34(15m)(am)1, 938.34, 938.34(15m)(am)2, 938.345(3)(d), 938.345, 940.03