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Panel approves grooming offense with exceptions; members and witnesses press for clear definitions and safeguards
Summary
The committee advanced a bill creating the criminal offense of grooming with tiers and predicate acts, while members and witnesses sought specificity about definitions, exceptions for age‑appropriate instruction and due‑process safeguards to avoid overcriminalizing educators.
Sponsor described HB 23‑17 as creating the new criminal offense of grooming with defined predicate acts and two offense tiers, including elevated penalties for those in positions of trust. The sponsor said the bill grew out of work with TBI and the district attorney general's conference and that the provision can produce penalties from a Class A misdemeanor up to a Class B felony depending on age differentials and conduct.
Witness Connie Regula (a former family law attorney) and others told the committee the bill addresses a gap that has left some parents without remedies; several members asked for careful language to avoid sweeping in lawful instruction, medical treatment, or age‑appropriate conversations. The sponsor pointed to exceptions in the bill for curriculum on human sexuality, licensed health‑care interactions, lawful investigations and routine coaching contact. The measure was advanced to Finance, Ways & Means.
