Kansas Judiciary Committee hears bill expanding sextortion crimes and requiring statewide education

The House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 5 heard emotional testimony in support of House Bill 25-37, a measure that would expand the state’s extortion statutes to cover modern “sextortion” tactics, create aggravated offenses when extortion leads to serious injury or death, and require the attorney general to develop statewide prevention education for schools.

Jason Thompson of the Revisor’s Office told the committee the bill would amend KSA 21 55 15 to add new methods of committing extortion — including threats to distribute sexually explicit images or recordings and conduct that requires a victim to “produce or provide anything of value” — and would add two aggravated offenses for causing great bodily harm or death. Penalties would increase in severity, including a severity level 1 person felony for extortion causing death, Thompson said.

The bill’s supporters described the harms they said the measure targets. Morgan Moore, mother of Caleb Moore, said her 14-year-old son was targeted online, pressured to provide images and gift cards, and died after a 35-minute campaign of threats. "Sextortion gains power through silence, speed, and isolation," Moore told the committee, and said education and consistent school guidance could create time for disclosure and intervention.

Representative Brandon Guffey of South Carolina, who helped pass "Gavin’s Law" in his state after his son’s death, and Brad Butler, who represents the nonprofit Evan’s Voice, also urged the committee to act. Guffey described extradition and federal charges in one case and cited rising prevalence statistics from groups such as Thorn, while Butler urged the panel to recognize AI-generated imagery and nonfinancial coercion as part of the problem.

Committee members asked about prosecutorial gaps and the effect of platform policies and encryption on investigations. Thompson said the bill’s new language mirrors other statutes’ use of the phrase "anything of value," and that prosecutors will help refine elements. Chairwoman Howard noted the attorney general’s office had submitted written materials (listed as neutral in the record) and closed the hearing after members reviewed additional written proponent testimony.

The committee did not take a vote on HB 25-37 at the hearing; the measure was left in hearing status with proponents and reviser testimony on the record. If enacted, the bill requires the attorney general to prepare educational materials and report on implementation to the governor, legislature and State Board of Education on or before July 1, 2027, and annually thereafter.