SB 307 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.
Last action — Signed by Governor
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Senate
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✓Passed House
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✓To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced June 02, 2022. Enacted.
Odds of enactment
High chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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26 sponsors
4 primary, 22 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (13 D · 6 R) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
Summary
This bill reflects the reality that “grooming” children for the purpose of committing crimes of sexual violence against them is often preceded by conduct that perpetrators know will make the child particularly susceptible to abuse. The bill requires proof that a person has engaged in three or more specific instances of conduct proscribed by the statute. Each of these predicate acts would not otherwise be considered criminal conduct, so the bill requires proof of a pattern of conduct aimed at a specific outcome. By outlawing “grooming,” the State will be explicitly empowered to stop a predator who engages in certain conduct with the intent to entice, persuade, induce, or coerce a child into participating in a sexual act with the perpetrator. A conviction for “grooming” is a stand-alone offense and is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in jail.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
57 added · 13 removed57 line(s) added, 13 removed.
Rep.Sen.
LonghurstPoore HOUSE& OFRep. REPRESENTATIVES 151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY HOUSE AMENDMENT NO.
1Longhurst TO& SENATERep. BILL NO.
307Griffith AMEND& SenateSen. Bill No.
307Brown onSens. line 1 by deleting “chapter” where it appears therein and inserting in lieu thereof “section”.
FURTHERBonini, AMENDEnnis, SenateGay, BillHansen, No.Hocker, Lawson, Lockman, Lopez, Mantzavinos, S.
307McBride, byParadee, deletingPettyjohn, lineRichardson, 33Sokola, inSturgeon, itsTownsend, entiretyWalsh, andWilson; inserting in lieu thereof the following:
“(f)Reps. Enticement for purposes of sexual contact is a class F felony.”.
SYNOPSISBaumbach, ThisDukes, AmendmentK. corrects the name of the crime in the penalty provision.
ThisJohnson, amendmentK. also makes a technical correction to the Act.
HDWilliams :DELAWARE STATE SENATE 151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL NO.
MS307 :AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.
MAWBE PageIT 1ENACTED ofBY 1THE Released:GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
06/29/2022Section 06:361. PM 2141510803
Amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code by adding a new chapter 1112C and by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:
§ 1112C.
Enticement for Purposes of Sexual Contact (a) A person is guilty of enticement if the person, being 18 years of age or older and at least 4 years older than a child, knowingly engages in a course of conduct to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce that involves or results in the person gaining access to and time alone with that child, with the intent of building trust with that child for the purpose of ultimately engaging in sexual contact or penetration with that child.
(b) For purposes of this section, “child” means any individual who is younger than 18 years of age.
(c) For purposes of this section, “a course of conduct” means three or more separate incidents that a reasonable person would find inappropriate, in isolation or collectively, given the nature and circumstances of the relationship between the person and the child, including:
(1) Showing, offering, or sending the child sexually explicit materials, including images, videos, audio recordings, or any other depiction of sexual activity;
(2) Exposing the child to sexually explicit language or jokes;
(3) Making comments to the child about his or her sexual or physical development;
(4) Bathing the child;
(5) Walking in on the child changing his or her clothes or using the toilet, or watching the child do either;
(6) Asking the child to watch an adult change clothes or use the toilet;
(7) Taking pictures of or videorecording the child while the child is nude or wearing only underwear;
(8) Wrestling the child in underwear or while nude;
SD :
KB :
ALW Page 1 of 2 Released:
06/01/2022 02:43 PM (9) Tickling the child;
(10) Playing games with the child that involve touching genitalia;
(12) Buying the child gifts that are not in celebration of a holiday or birthday;
(13) Giving special privileges to the child, such as car rides to or from school or practices;
or (14) Committing any sexual offense, as defined in Chapter 5, Subchapter II, Part D of this Title, or any attempt or solicitation to commit any such sexual offense, against the child;
(d) A conviction is not required for any predicate act relied upon to establish a course of conduct.
A conviction for any predicate act relied upon to establish a course of conduct does not preclude prosecution under this section.
Nothing in this section shall preclude a separate charge, conviction and sentence for any other crime set forth in this title, or in the Delaware Code.
(e) For the purposes of this section, it is not a defense to prosecution that no sexual contact or penetration actually occurred.
(f) Grooming is a class F felony.
Show all 50 changed lines (10 more)
SYNOPSIS This bill reflects the reality that “grooming” children for the purpose of committing crimes of sexual violence against them is often preceded by conduct that perpetrators know will make the child particularly susceptible to abuse.
The bill requires proof that a person has engaged in three or more specific instances of conduct proscribed by the statute.
Each of these predicate acts would not otherwise be considered criminal conduct, so the bill requires proof of a pattern of conduct aimed at a specific outcome.
By outlawing “grooming,” the State will be explicitly empowered to stop a predator who engages in certain conduct with the intent to entice, persuade, induce, or coerce a child into participating in a sexual act with the perpetrator.
A conviction for “grooming” is a stand-alone offense and is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in jail.
Author:
Senator Poore SD :
KB :
ALW Page 2 of 2 Released:
06/01/2022 02:43 PM 2711510032
Show all 50 changed rows (10 more)
Action History
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Signed by Governor
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Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
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Passed By House. Votes: 36 YES 4 NO 1 ABSENT
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Amendment HA 1 to SB 307 - Passed In House by Voice Vote
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Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in House with 4 Favorable, 2 On Its Merits
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Assigned to Judiciary Committee in House
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Passed By Senate. Votes: 19 YES 2 ABSENT
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Reported Out of Committee (Judiciary) in Senate with 5 On Its Merits
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Introduced and Assigned to Judiciary Committee in Senate
Sponsors
- Valerie Longhurst · Primary
- Nicole Poore · Primary
- Darius J. Brown · Primary
- Krista Griffith · Primary
- Stephanie L. Hansen · Cosponsor
- Gerald W. Hocker · Cosponsor
- Dave G. Lawson · Cosponsor
- S. Elizabeth Lockman · Cosponsor
- Spiros Mantzavinos · Cosponsor
- Trey Paradee · Cosponsor
- Brian Pettyjohn · Cosponsor
- Bryant L. Richardson · Cosponsor
- David P. Sokola · Cosponsor
- Laura V. Sturgeon · Cosponsor
- Bryan Townsend · Cosponsor
- John "Jack" Walsh · Cosponsor
- David L. Wilson · Cosponsor
- Timothy D. Dukes · Cosponsor
- Kendra Johnson · Cosponsor
- Kimberly Williams · Cosponsor
- Kyle Evans Gay · Cosponsor
- Paul S. Baumbach · Cosponsor
- Sarah McBride · Cosponsor
- Ernesto B Lopez · Cosponsor
- Bruce C. Ennis · Cosponsor
- Colin Bonini · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →4 sponsors · 22 co-sponsors · 36 not signed on · 4 voted No
Sponsors (4)
- Valerie Longhurst
- Nicole Poore Democratic
- Darius J. Brown Democratic
- Krista Griffith Democratic
Co-sponsors (22)
- Stephanie L. Hansen Democratic
- Gerald W. Hocker Republican
- Dave G. Lawson Republican
- S. Elizabeth Lockman Democratic
- Spiros Mantzavinos Democratic
- Trey Paradee Democratic
- Brian Pettyjohn Republican
- Bryant L. Richardson Republican
- David P. Sokola Democratic
- Laura V. Sturgeon Democratic
- Bryan Townsend Democratic
- John "Jack" Walsh Democratic
- David L. Wilson Republican
- Timothy D. Dukes Republican
- Kendra Johnson Democratic
- Kimberly Williams Democratic
- Kyle Evans Gay
- Paul S. Baumbach
- Sarah McBride
- Ernesto B Lopez
- Bruce C. Ennis
- Colin Bonini
Not signed on (36)
36 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 36 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| % of votes cast | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
How each member voted (21)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce C. Ennis | — | Yea |
| Colin Bonini | — | Yea |
| Ernesto B Lopez | — | Yea |
| Kyle Evans Gay | — | Yea |
| Sarah McBride | — | Yea |
| Bryan Townsend | Democratic | Yea |
| Darius J. Brown | Democratic | Yea |
| David P. Sokola | Democratic | Yea |
| John "Jack" Walsh | Democratic | Yea |
| Laura V. Sturgeon | Democratic | Yea |
| Marie Pinkney | Democratic | Yea |
| Nicole Poore | Democratic | Yea |
| S. Elizabeth Lockman | Democratic | Yea |
| Spiros Mantzavinos | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephanie L. Hansen | Democratic | Yea |
| Trey Paradee | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Pettyjohn | Republican | Yea |
| Bryant L. Richardson | Republican | Yea |
| Dave G. Lawson | Republican | Yea |
| David L. Wilson | Republican | Yea |
| Gerald W. Hocker | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Democratic | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 36 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| % of votes cast | 88% | 10% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (41)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democratic | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 19 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 90% | 0% | 0% | 10% |
How each member voted (21)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce C. Ennis | — | Yea |
| Colin Bonini | — | Yea |
| Ernesto B Lopez | — | Yea |
| Kyle Evans Gay | — | Yea |
| Sarah McBride | — | Yea |
| Bryan Townsend | Democratic | Yea |
| Darius J. Brown | Democratic | Yea |
| David P. Sokola | Democratic | Yea |
| John "Jack" Walsh | Democratic | Yea |
| Laura V. Sturgeon | Democratic | Yea |
| Marie Pinkney | Democratic | Not Voting |
| Nicole Poore | Democratic | Yea |
| S. Elizabeth Lockman | Democratic | Yea |
| Spiros Mantzavinos | Democratic | Yea |
| Stephanie L. Hansen | Democratic | Yea |
| Trey Paradee | Democratic | Yea |
| Brian Pettyjohn | Republican | Yea |
| Bryant L. Richardson | Republican | Yea |
| Dave G. Lawson | Republican | Not Voting |
| David L. Wilson | Republican | Yea |
| Gerald W. Hocker | Republican | Yea |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does SB 307 do?
- This bill reflects the reality that “grooming” children for the purpose of committing crimes of sexual violence against them is often preceded by conduct that perpetrators know will make the child particularly susceptible to abuse. The bill requires proof that a person has engaged in three or more specific instances of conduct proscribed by the statute. Each of these predicate acts would not otherwise be considered criminal conduct, so the bill requires proof of a pattern of conduct aimed at a specific outcome. By outlawing “grooming,” the State will be explicitly empowered to stop a predator who engages in certain conduct with the intent to entice, persuade, induce, or coerce a child into participating in a sexual act with the perpetrator. A conviction for “grooming” is a stand-alone offense and is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in jail.
- Who sponsors SB 307?
- SB 307 is sponsored by Valerie Longhurst, Nicole Poore (Democratic), Darius J. Brown (Democratic), Krista Griffith (Democratic), Stephanie L. Hansen (Democratic), Gerald W. Hocker (Republican), Dave G. Lawson (Republican), S. Elizabeth Lockman (Democratic), Spiros Mantzavinos (Democratic), Trey Paradee (Democratic), Brian Pettyjohn (Republican), Bryant L. Richardson (Republican), David P. Sokola (Democratic), Laura V. Sturgeon (Democratic), Bryan Townsend (Democratic), John "Jack" Walsh (Democratic), David L. Wilson (Republican), Timothy D. Dukes (Republican), Kendra Johnson (Democratic), Kimberly Williams (Democratic), Kyle Evans Gay, Paul S. Baumbach, Sarah McBride, Ernesto B Lopez, Bruce C. Ennis, and Colin Bonini.
- What is the current status of SB 307?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced June 02, 2022. Enacted.
- Where can I track SB 307?
- Track SB 307 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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