Bill > HB0009

This bill establishes the new criminal offense of "grooming of a minor for a sexual offense" in Wyoming, defining grooming as behavior, including electronic communication, that prepares, induces, or persuades a minor to engage in sexual conduct or exploitation, even if no meeting or sexual act occurs. Sexual conduct is broadly defined to include various forms of sexual intercourse, penetration, bestiality, masturbation, sadomasochistic abuse, lewd exhibition, and the depiction of children in a state of undress for sexual gratification or to abuse or degrade them. The bill specifies that the offense is committed by someone 18 or older, at least four years older than the minor, who intentionally engages in grooming with the intent to manipulate the minor into sexual conduct, entice them to meet for sexual conduct, distribute sexually explicit material, or exploit a position of authority to develop an intimate relationship. Penalties vary based on the age of the minor, with harsher penalties for younger victims and for those in positions of authority, ranging from up to five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine for a general offense to up to thirty years imprisonment and a $30,000 fine for an offender in a position of authority against a minor under twelve. Additionally, offenders must complete a sexual offender treatment program and may be subject to probation for up to ten years. The bill also makes conforming amendments to existing laws, including adding "grooming of a minor for a sexual offense" to the list of serious felonies for which probation can be deferred and to the list of offenses requiring registration as a sex offender.