Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin introduced legislation aimed at making it a criminal offense for adults to groom children for sexual activity, particularly focused on schools. 

If the bill is passed, grooming would be classified as a class G felony under Wisconsin law, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine, or sometimes both. The bill defines grooming as a “course of conduct, pattern of behavior, or series of acts” intended to condition, lure, solicit, or entice a child for sexual contact or for producing sexually-explicit images of a child. 

The move comes after criticism of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for how it handled reports of misconduct by teachers, aides, substitutes, and administrators. 

The proposed bill would require offenders to register as sex offenders if he or she is in a position of authority over a child, if the child has a known disability, or if there’s multiple children involved. 

Amanda Nedweski (R-Pleasant Prairie) and Jesse James (R-Thorp) are leading the legislation. (RELATED: Wisconsin Courts Grapple with Courthouse ICE Policy After Judge’s Arrest)

​​“Whether it’s a teacher, a coach, or a mentor—we must ensure that adults who exploit their positions of trust to manipulate and prey upon children face real accountability under the law,” Nedweski said. “This bill gives our partners in law enforcement the clear legal tools necessary to prosecute these predators and provide victims and families with the justice they deserve.”

James said this bill will protect Wisconsin’s most vulnerable assets, the children. (RELATED: Wisconsin DOT Traffic Study Shows Delays, Congestion Risks if I-794 Freeway Is Removed)

“While I am proud to join my colleagues in authoring this bill, I am disgusted by the stories that have made legislation like this so necessary. It has become clear to me, the Governor, and to my fellow legislators that Wisconsin needs a statutory definition for grooming.”

State Superintendent Jill Underly and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, both Democrats, have voiced support for creating a statutory definition of grooming. 

If signed into law, Wisconsin would join Florida, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas in enacting anti-grooming legislation.