Assembly Bill 677 aims to create a new crime of grooming a child for sexual activity, defining it as engaging in a course of conduct intended to condition, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child for sexual purposes. The bill outlines specific behaviors that could constitute grooming, such as sexualized verbal comments, inappropriate physical contact, and isolating a child. The penalties for this crime vary based on the offender's relationship to the child and the circumstances of the offense, with classifications ranging from a Class G felony to a Class D felony for more severe cases. Additionally, the bill mandates that individuals convicted of this crime must register as sex offenders.

The bill also amends various sections of current law to include the newly created crime of grooming a child for sexual activity, specifically inserting the reference to this crime in multiple statutes related to child protection and sexual offenses. Notably, it adds the new section 948.072 to the statutes, which addresses grooming, and updates existing laws to reflect this addition. The bill emphasizes the seriousness of child sexual offenses and aims to enhance legal protections for minors against such predatory behaviors.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 48.345(3)(a)2, 48.345, 48.345(3)(b)2, 48.685(4m)(b)2, 48.685, 48.685(4m)(b)2m, 50.065(1)(e)2, 50.065, 51.20(13)(ct)2m, 51.20, 111.335(1m)(b)1, 111.335, 111.335(1m)(d)1, 165.93(1)(b), 165.93, 301.046(4)(b)(intro.), 301.046, 301.048(4m)(b)(intro.), 301.048, 301.45(1d)(b), 301.45, 302.05(3)(a)1, 302.05, 302.105(2)(intro.), 302.105, 302.116(1)(a), 302.116, 303.068(4m)(b)(intro.), 303.068, 304.06(1)(d)1, 304.06