PHOENIX — The Arizona House of Representatives has passed a bill that would criminalize "grooming" behavior committed against minors.
In a 44-11 vote Tuesday afternoon, the state's lawmakers passed House Bill 2310, which would make it a felony offense to "seduce, lure, or entice" a minor to do either of the following:
- Distribute photos depicting a person's sexual organs
- Commit any offense that's in furtherance of facilitating the sexual seduction or abuse of the minor
The grooming bill would apply to actions done in person, in written form, though an electronic device, or through a third party.
State Rep. Travis Grantham, R-District 14, chose to sponsor the bill after learning the story of a local teenage girl who had been groomed by her teacher into an inappropriate relationship.
"We have to do something to address this issue," Grantham said during a House hearing.
Skeptics of the legislation argued that Arizona's laws already criminalize some of this type of behavior and called for prosecutors to do a better job enforcing the state's existing laws.
The Arizona Revised Statutes currently state that it is a Class 3 felony to lure and solicit a minor for sex.
HB 2310 now advances over to the Arizona Senate for review.
UP TO SPEED
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