A bill for an act relating to the criminal offense of grooming, and making penalties applicable.

HF 561 defines "grooming" as knowingly seducing, soliciting, luring, or attempting to do so with a child (under 18) or someone posing as a child (including undercover officers) to commit unlawful sexual acts. It classifies this offense as a class D felony, imposing criminal penalties for such conduct. The bill directly affects individuals who attempt to manipulate minors into sexual situations, whether through in-person interactions, electronic communication, or written messages. Key provisions clarify that the law applies to all attempts to entice children into sexual activity, regardless of the method used to communicate.