HB 2844 — An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in minors, providing for the offense of grooming of a minor.

Summary

Establishing the Offense of Grooming of a Minor

Bill Text

• Printer's No. 4020 View text Current

Compared against the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill introduces a new offense of grooming a minor, defining specific conduct and grading for such offenses.

• Title 18

  § 6323. Grooming of a minor. (a) Offense defined.-- (1) An individual 18 years of age or older commits an offense if the individual intentionally engages in a course of conduct directed at a minor who is under 14 years of age with the intent to entice, coerce, solicit or induce the minor to engage in prohibited sexual conduct with the individual or another person. (2) An individual commits an offense if the individual is a person responsible for the child's welfare and intentionally engages in a course of conduct directed at a minor who is under 18 years of age with the intent to: (i) entice, coerce, solicit or induce the minor to engage in prohibited sexual conduct with the individual or another person; or (ii) develop an intimate or secretive relationship with the minor. (b) Grading.-- (1) Except as provided under paragraph (2), an offense under subsection (a)(1) constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree. (2) An offense under subsection (a)(2), or an offense under subsection (a)(1) where the victim is under 12 years of age, constitutes a felony of the third degree. (c) Rules of construction.-- (1) An offense under subsection (a)(2)(ii) shall not apply to ordinary, lawful communication or contact between a person responsible for a child's welfare and a minor that is incidental to a professional, educational, athletic, religious or familial relationship. (2) Conduct that is open, transparent and known to the minor's parent, guardian or person responsible for the minor's welfare shall create a rebuttable presumption that the conduct does not constitute an intimate or secretive relationship under this section. (d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Course of conduct." The term shall mean the same as defined under section 2709.1(f) (relating to stalking). "Intimate or secretive relationship." A relationship or course of conduct characterized by the actor intentionally concealing the nature, extent or existence of the contact from the minor's parent, guardian or person responsible for the minor's welfare, or introducing romantic or sexual overtones into the interaction. "Minor." An individual under 18 years of age. "Person responsible for the child's welfare." The term shall mean the same as defined under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6303(a) (relating to definitions). "Prohibited sexual conduct." The term shall mean the same as "sexual exploitation" as defined under section 6320(c) (relating to sexual exploitation of children).

  This adds a new section that criminalizes grooming behavior towards minors, establishing definitions, penalties, and guidelines for what constitutes an offense.

Action History

1. October 07, 2026

   Referred to JUDICIARY, Oct. 7, 2026

Sponsors

• Joseph D'Orsie · Primary
• Craig T. Staats · Cosponsor
• Ryan A. Bizzarro · Cosponsor
• Jamie L. Flick · Cosponsor
• Marc S. Anderson · Cosponsor
• Aaron Bernstine · Cosponsor
• Robert Leadbeter · Cosponsor
• Catherine I Wallen · Cosponsor
• Joe Hamm · Cosponsor
• Jacob D. Banta · Cosponsor
• Scott Barger · Cosponsor
• Clint Owlett · Cosponsor
• Jamie Walsh · Cosponsor
• Mark M. Gillen · Cosponsor

Subjects