CRIME/PUNISHMENT: Creates the crime of child grooming. (8/1/25)

Added a new definition for 'sexual offense against a minor victim' to include child grooming (R.S. 14:81.7) and equivalent offenses from other jurisdictions.

Modified the existing definition of 'sex offense' to reference the new 'sexual offense against a minor victim' category instead of listing individual statutes.

Removed the specific list of individual statutes from the 'sex offense' definition to streamline the code and rely on the new categorical definition.

Corrected the legislative text to reference new subsections (25)(o) and (25)(p) instead of the original subsection (24)(a).

The list of bill sponsors was reduced from over 30 senators and representatives to a single sponsor, Senator Connick.

A new crime called 'child grooming' was created, defined as persuading, inducing, or coercing a child under 17 to engage in conduct intended to facilitate a lewd or lascivious act when there is an age difference of more than two years.

The crime of child grooming was added to the official list of offenses that constitute a 'sex offense' under state law.

Specific penalties were established for child grooming: up to five years in prison for children aged 13 or older, and two to twenty-five years with hard labor for children under 13 if the offender is over 17.

The age of the victim eligible for protection under the new indecent behavior charge was raised from under 13 to under 17 years old.

The required age difference between the offender and the victim was increased from two years to four years.

The specific crime of 'child grooming' was removed and replaced with a broader charge titled 'indecent behavior with juveniles'.

New definitions were added for 'grooming' and 'textual, visual, written, or oral communication' to clarify the scope of prohibited conduct.

The list of bill sponsors was updated to include Representatives, and the document status was changed from 'Reengrossed' to 'Enrolled'.

Lowered the minimum age of a victim for child grooming charges from under 17 years old to under 13 years old.

Removed the requirement that there be a two-year age difference between the offender and the victim.

Reclassified child grooming from a general 'sex offense' to a specific 'sexual offense against a victim who is a minor' to align with the new age thresholds.

Added a new statutory definition (R.S. 15:541(25)(p)) to include convictions from other jurisdictions that are equivalent to the offenses listed in the bill.

Increased the maximum penalty for child grooming from five years to fifteen years in prison.