Assembly Bill 677 aims to create a new crime of grooming a child for sexual activity, which would be classified as a Class G felony, with increased penalties for individuals in positions of trust or authority over the child, or if the child has a known disability. The bill defines grooming as a series of actions intended to condition, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child for sexual purposes, including verbal comments, inappropriate physical contact, and isolating the child. The bill also stipulates that individuals under 18 are exempt from prosecution for grooming if the child involved is not more than four years younger than them, unless force or coercion is involved.

In addition to establishing the new crime, the bill amends various sections of current law to include the newly created crime of grooming (s. 948.072) alongside existing sexual offenses. This includes updates to the definitions of serious crimes, sex offenses, and the requirements for notification of victims and authorities in cases involving sexual offenses. The amendments also enhance the legal framework surrounding the prosecution and penalties for individuals convicted of sexual crimes against children, ensuring that the law reflects the seriousness of grooming behavior.

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