HF 2602 (LSB 5895HV (2) 90)

HOUSE FILE 2602

BY  COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 575)

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing a criminal offense of grooming and providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  709.8A  Grooming.
   1.  A person commits grooming when the person knowingly performs an act in person or by conduct through a third party, uses a computer, internet service, or any other electronic storage or transmission device, or uses written communication to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child or a person believed to be a child to commit any sex act or to otherwise engage in unlawful sexual conduct. As used in this section, “child” means a person under eighteen years of age.
   2.  Grooming is a class “D” felony.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes the criminal offense of grooming.
   The bill provides that a person commits grooming when the person knowingly performs an act in person or by conduct through a third party, uses a computer, internet service, or any other electronic data storage or transmission device, or uses written communication to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, or attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice, a child or a person believed to be a child to commit any sex act or to otherwise engage in any unlawful sexual conduct. The bill defines “child” as a person under 18 years of age.
   The bill provides that grooming is a class “D” felony. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.