Image Credit: TN General Assembly & Antony-22 / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A piece of legislation aimed at creating a new offense for grooming minors to try and preempt the sexual abuse of children before it ever happens is scheduled to be heard in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday, March 4.
HB2317, titled the “Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act” by Rep. Jody Barrett, is intended to protect minors from sexual exploitation by criminalizing grooming behavior and supplementing existing child protection laws through the creation of a Class E Felony offense for any adult who engages in the practice of grooming a child for sexual exploitation.
If the offender holds a position of trust, authority, or supervision over the victim at the time of the offense, the classification is upgraded to a Class D felony. If the offender has a prior conviction for sexual offense, violent or not, the offense becomes a Class C felony. Grooming becomes a Class B felony if the victim is considered a “mentally compromised individual” and a Class A felony if the minor is under 13 years old.
In the legislation, “grooming” is defined as “an act, pattern of acts, or communication by an adult with a minor or mentally compromised individual, by any medium including electronic communication, messaging, social media, text, telephone, or in person, that is intended to establish trust, secrecy, emotional connection, or control with a minor or mentally compromised individual with the intent to:
- Entice, lure, or solicit the minor or mentally compromised individual to engage in sexual contact, simulated sexual contact, or exploitation,
- Prepare, condition, or acclimate the minor or mentally compromised individual for sexual contact or exploitation,
- Or facilitate the commission of a sexual offense against the minor.”
And along with those who practice grooming in Tennessee, the act would subject to prosecution any person who initiates grooming practices with a minor in the state even if the offender does not reside in Tennessee.
If you support this legislation, use the information below to contact members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee before the meeting on Wednesday:
House Criminal Justice Subcommittee – HB2317 to be heard Wednesday, March 4.
HB2317 aims to protect minors from sexual exploitation by criminalizing grooming behavior and supplementing existing child protection laws through the creation of a Class E Felony offense for any adult who engages in the practice of grooming a child for sexual exploitation.
Rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
