The State Senate has approved a measure criminalizing the grooming of children.
The Wisconsin State Senate has passed legislation that criminalizes the sexual grooming of children, sending the bill to Gov. Tony Evers for his signature.
The measure, which received bipartisan support and passed the Senate on a voice vote, defines grooming as a course of conduct, pattern of behavior, or series of acts by an adult intended to condition, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child for purposes of sexual intercourse, sexual contact, or producing/distributing child pornography. Convictions could result in felony penalties, including up to 10-25 years in prison and sex offender registration.
While the bill previously passed the Assembly overwhelmingly, six Dmeocrats voted against it, including gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong and socialist Milwaukee Rep Ryan Clancy, who expressed concern that the bill could criminalize teachers hugging students.
The measure now heads to Governor Evers’ desk.
