24 LC 48 1200S
House Bill 993 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)
By: Representatives Powell of the 33
rd
, Smith of the 18
th
, Ridley of the 6
th
, McCollum of the
30
th
, Collins of the 71
st
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia
1
Annotated, relating to offenses related to minors generally, so as to provide for the offense2
of grooming a minor; to provide for definitions; to provide for a penalty; to provide for venue3
for certain conduct involving a minor; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting4
laws; and for other purposes.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
SECTION 1.7
Part 2 of Article 3 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 8
relating to offenses related to minors generally, is amended by adding a new Code section9
to read as follows:10
"16-12-100.5.
11
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:12
(1) 'Computer' has the same meaning as provided in Code Section 16-9-92.13
(2) 'Electronic device' has the same meaning as provided in Code Section 16-12-100.2.14
(3) 'Minor' means any person under the age of 18 years.15
(4) 'Sexual offense' has the same meaning as provided in Code Section 17-10-6.2.16
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(5) 'Sexual servitude' has the same meaning as provided in Code Section 16-5-46.17
(b) A person over the age of 18 and no less than 48 months older than the alleged victim18
commits the offense of grooming of a minor when such person through a pattern of activity19
knowingly and intentionally performs an act in person or through a third party or uses an20
electronic device, a computer, social media, or text messages to persuade, induce, entice,21
or coerce a minor to engage in a sexual offense, trafficking of persons for sexual servitude22
in violation of Code Section 16-5-46, or any offense provided for in Chapter 6 of this title.23
(c) Any person who violates this Code section shall be guilty of a felony and punished by24
imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.25
(d) A person shall be subject to prosecution in this state pursuant to Code Section 17-2-126
for any conduct made unlawful by this Code section which the person engages in while:27
(1) Either within or outside of this state if such conduct involves a minor who resides in28
this state or another person believed by such person to be a minor residing in this state;29
or30
(2) Within this state if such conduct involves a minor who resides within or outside this31
state or another person believed by such person to be a minor residing within or outside32
this state."33
SECTION 2.34
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. 35
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