The bill establishes a new criminal offense in Wyoming known as "grooming of a minor for a sexual offense," defined under W.S. 6-2-321. This offense is characterized by actions intended to prepare, induce, or persuade a minor to engage in sexual conduct or exploitation, regardless of whether any actual sexual conduct occurs. The bill outlines specific behaviors that constitute grooming, including emotional manipulation and the use of electronic communication. Penalties for this offense vary based on the age of the minor involved, with harsher penalties for offenses against minors under the age of twelve, including a minimum imprisonment of twenty-five years.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to include grooming of a minor for a sexual offense as a disqualifying factor for probation eligibility and updates the registration requirements for offenders convicted of this crime. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6-2-301, 7-13-301, 7-19-302