Jessie Opoien
MADISON – An effort to criminalize and prevent the sexual grooming of children is on its way to Gov. Tony Evers' desk for his signature.
The state Senate voted unanimously to pass the measure Wednesday, and a spokeswoman confirmed the governor plans to sign it.
Under the bill, which passed the Assembly last month with six Democrats voting no, it would be a felony offense for an adult to engage in "a course of conduct, pattern of behavior, or series of acts with the intention to condition, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child" for the purpose of engaging in sexual intercourse or sexual contact, or to create and distribute child pornography.
Examples of behavior that could constitute grooming under the legislation include written or spoken communications as well as physical contact.
Bill author Sen. Jesse James, R-Altoona, said that adding the definition would assist law enforcement in fully prosecuting such cases.
"My time as a law enforcement officer has shown me that grooming is frequently a deliberate, gradual process that causes substantial harm and trauma," James told reporters before the vote on Feb. 11. "I am a grandpa. I can't bear to think of the many dangers my grandkids will face. However, with this bill, I can sleep just a little bit better. This has a powerful deterrence effect and says our kids are not targets."
If convicted, a person could face between 10 and 25 years in prison, depending on who the person is to the child and whether the child has a disability, among other factors that could increase penalties. Those convicted of grooming would be required to register with the Department of Corrections as a sex offender.
According to an analysis from the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau, the crime does not apply to a person who is 18 or under if it involves a child who is not more than four years younger than the person, unless the violation involves force, coercion, or abuse of a position of trust or authority over the child.
In testimony on the bill last month, co-author Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, commended previous efforts to crack down on sexual misconduct against children, including a bill signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers in 2024 criminalizing sexual misconduct committed against a student by a school staff member or volunteer.
But she noted there are still cases where prosecutors have lacked the proper authority to pursue strong penalties against predatory adults. This bill builds on that law by making grooming a crime "not just in schools, but in any other situation in which it may apply."
The bill "puts a clear definition" into law and gives law enforcement tools "to keep our kids safe," Sen. John Jagler, R-Watertown, said before the vote.
Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.
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