Senate Bill 222 introduces a new crime termed "sexual extortion" and establishes penalties for related offenses. Under this bill, it is classified as a Class I felony for an individual to threaten to harm another's property or reputation, commit violence, or distribute intimate representations to coerce someone into sexual conduct or to provide something of value. The bill escalates the offense to a Class H felony if the victim engages in sexual conduct or suffers significant harm as a result of the coercion, and to a Class G felony if the perpetrator has prior convictions for sexually violent offenses or if the victim is a minor and the perpetrator is significantly older. Additionally, the bill allows for prosecution for felony murder if the extortion leads to the victim's death.

The bill also amends various statutes to include the new crime of sexual extortion, specifically adding the section 942.095 to the statutes. It provides that victims of extortion or sexual extortion may be eligible for compensation from the Department of Justice's crime victim compensation fund if they suffer injury or death due to the crime, including in cases of suicide if the crime was a substantial factor. The bill aims to enhance legal protections against extortion and sexual coercion, reflecting a commitment to addressing these serious offenses.

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