Bill would punish certain sexual communications involving children

Adults and other people would face felony penalties for using communication systems to solicit certain sexual acts or exposure involving children younger than 15. This covers communication through the internet, computers, mail, print, phones, and other listed systems. The person must act with lascivious intent and knowingly and intentionally make the solicitation. The rule covers sexual exposure, touching, proposed sexual acts, or luring a child to a place for those purposes. A person at least seven years older than the child would face mandatory prison time, including longer mandatory terms for a second or later violation. No effective date is stated in the supplied text.

People would face criminal penalties for certain sexual communications with children ages 15 through 17, including soliciting listed sexual offenses or exposing themselves. The provisions cover adults and other people who communicate with children under 18, with some offenses requiring the person to be at least seven years older. Solicitations involving children ages 15 through 17 must concern the sexual activities listed for younger children. An adult exposing sexual or genital parts to a child age 15 or older would be covered when the adult is not legally married to that child. Soliciting a child under 18 to commit certain listed sexual offenses would be a Class 5 felony. No effective date is stated in the supplied text.

The criminal rules would apply when the person contacted is a qualifying child or someone lawfully posing as one. Covered contacts include an actual child, a parent or guardian posing as that child, or a law-enforcement officer posing as a child or parent or guardian. The person posing as a child or guardian must fit the age range or role listed in the provision. The law-enforcement officer must be acting in official duties. No effective date is stated in the supplied text.