Senate Bill 222 introduces a new crime known as "sexual extortion" and establishes penalties for such 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 great bodily harm as a result of the violation, and to a Class G felony 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. Additionally, the bill allows for prosecution for felony murder if the extortion leads to the victim's death.

The bill also amends various sections of existing law to incorporate the new crime of sexual extortion, including provisions for victim compensation from the Department of Justice's crime victim compensation fund in cases of injury or death resulting from extortion. It specifies that victims or their family members may receive compensation for suicides or attempted suicides if the extortion was a substantial factor in those actions. The bill aims to enhance legal protections against extortion and sexual exploitation, 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